Seoul National University and Severance Followed by Samsung Seoul Hospital Director... "We Want Residents to Come Back"

"Empty Seats Are Too Big... Please Join Patients"
Severance Hospital Director "Sorry as a Senior... Let's Overcome the Crisis"

Following the deadline for resident doctors' return set by the government on the 29th, Samsung Medical Center, along with Seoul National University Hospital and Severance Hospital, saw its hospital director personally appeal to the residents to return.

On the 29th, Park Seung-woo, director of Samsung Medical Center, sent a direct message to the affiliated residents in the afternoon. Starting the message with "To my colleagues, juniors, and mentees enduring difficult times," Park said, "Although the season for new growth has arrived, we are all still stuck in last winter," expressing his regret over the unresolved situation despite the residents' will and sincerity.

Amid the ongoing strong confrontation between the government and the medical community over the increase in medical school admissions, medical staff are moving at a large hospital in Seoul on the 29th, the government's deadline for residents who left the hospital to return. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

He continued, "The hospital is operating with patient safety as the top priority, but as time passes, the absence of the residents is felt deeply," adding, "Once again, I realize the weight of the sacrifice and dedication of many trainees, residents, and fellows." He also stated, "I understand that your intentions are also rooted in the fundamental medical spirit of caring for patients," and earnestly requested, "Now, please return to the field and express that spirit alongside the patients."

He concluded, "The hospital is always open to those who remember the patients," and expressed hope that "we can thoughtfully overcome this crisis together by relying on and supporting each other."

That afternoon, Ha Jong-won, director of Severance Hospital, Song Young-gu, director of Gangnam Severance Hospital, and Kim Eun-kyung, director of Yongin Severance Hospital, also sent an email titled "To Severance Residents," requesting their return. They acknowledged, "We believe the difficulties you are experiencing due to the recent medical crisis are greater than ever," and conveyed, "We fully understand your dedication in protecting the medical field for the health and lives of the public despite the challenging circumstances."

They further emphasized, "Above all, we hope that your long-standing efforts and dedication to the future of Korean medicine and patients' lives will not collapse," and stressed, "Residents, now is the time to return to the hospital." They proposed, "As doctors, let us stand by our patients and pool our wisdom to resolve this crisis together," and promised, "We hospital directors will do our best to change hospital systems for the safety of patients and medical staff and to improve the training environment for residents." Directors Ha and others ended their message by expressing, "We apologize as seniors and ask for cooperation to overcome this crisis together."

On the 29th, the final day of the deadline for residents to return set by the government, Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Interior and Safety, attended the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and delivered opening remarks. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Earlier, on the previous day, Kim Young-tae, director of Seoul National University Hospital, Song Jeong-han, director of Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, and Lee Jae-hyup, director of Seoul Metropolitan Boramae Hospital, sent text messages and emails to all affiliated residents urging them to return. They stated, "Your sincerity has been fully conveyed," and requested, "Many patients in Korea, including those with severe emergency conditions and rare incurable diseases, are waiting for you. Please come back now."

Meanwhile, while hospitals are reluctant to publicly disclose the scale of residents' return, the government reported that as of 11 a.m. the previous day, 294 residents had returned across 100 major training hospitals nationwide. The return scale at the top 50 training hospitals was 181 residents. The Ministry of Health and Welfare told residents, "If you return by the 29th, you will not be held accountable for past actions," but warned that those who do not return by that day will face license suspension and legal procedures.