Prime Minister Han Duck-soo: "If Medical Sites Are Illegally Vacated, Government Will Fulfill Its Duty"

"We Will Not Yield to Collective Actions Holding the Lives of the People Hostage"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo expressed regret and disappointment toward the resident doctors who have not returned even after the government's set deadline for their return (February 29), saying, "The government finds it unfortunate and regrettable that they have ignored the voices of their mentors, patients, and indeed the entire nation."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Photo by Yongjun Cho jun21@

On the afternoon of the 3rd, at the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Doctors' Collective Action' meeting held at the Government Seoul Office, Prime Minister Han stated, "It has been three days since the government requested the resident doctors to return to the medical field, but most of them have not come back."

Prime Minister Han emphasized, "The government's principle remains unchanged," adding, "If the illegal abandonment of medical sites continues, the government will not hesitate to fulfill its duties as mandated by the Constitution and laws." He further pointed out, "As members of the community called the Republic of Korea and as young people who have chosen the profession of doctors, resident doctors have an obligation to protect the medical field," and stressed, "Any act of doctors turning their backs on patients for any reason is unacceptable."

He also urged, "I hope you return to your posts even at this late stage," and strongly called on the Medical Association to "stop the illegal collective action and take the lead in persuading the young junior doctors." Prime Minister Han promised, "The government will not yield to collective actions that hold the lives of the people hostage under any circumstances and will maintain the medical system as normally as possible to protect the lives and health of the people."