"Medical Strike Participants Politely Decline" Notice
"Jealous of Selective Customers, Doctors Can't Do That" Criticism
An Italian restaurant listed in the Michelin Guide Seoul 2024 has caused a stir by announcing a ban on entry for those involved in the medical strike.
"Strike at the expense of patients' lives" Michelin restaurant bans entry to medical strike participants
On the 22nd, Roh Hwan-gyu, former president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), shared on his Facebook, "I was banned from leaving the country by the government, and now I am also banned from entering a restaurant," sharing a notice from a restaurant. He added, "It is one thing for restaurants to be selective about customers, but hospitals and clinics cannot do that in reality."
The restaurant that posted the notice is 'Il Vecchio,' an Italian restaurant located in Mapo-gu, Seoul. In a recent announcement, the restaurant stated, "Entry is prohibited for those involved in the medical strike," and questioned, "What exactly are you trying to achieve by risking patients' lives?" The restaurant explained, "The current reality is that patients cannot find operating rooms and even have to call 119 for help at emergency rooms." They continued, "That person could be your family member. While individual choices should be respected in a liberal democracy, actions that abandon even the minimum sense of professional ethics should be condemned." They emphasized, "We do not wish to serve those participating in the medical strike at our restaurant. We politely refuse. This is also my choice and responsibility."
Following review bombing, mockery such as "They don't even know what the resident strike is" continues... "Support the owner" responses also appear
On the 22nd, reviews with 1-star ratings appeared on a portal site's map app, along with supportive comments for the restaurant. [Image source=Captured from KakaoMap]
On a portal site's map app, the restaurant has been receiving consecutive one-star reviews, a so-called 'review bombing.' On the restaurant's Instagram, users presumed to be doctors have commented, "Michelin says discrimination leads to disqualification; I will formally complain to Michelin," "Doctors cannot refuse treatment but restaurants can be selective about customers, lucky," "I want to eat Michelin in the countryside too; any plans to move the restaurant to a Michelin underserved area?" and "They act righteous but the reality is that medical fees for circumcision, CPR, colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and polypectomy are lower than this restaurant's dinner course." On the other hand, comments supporting the restaurant include, "I will dine there soon," and "I support the owner's conviction."
Meanwhile, the medical vacancy is worsening as residents leave their posts in protest against the government's increase in medical school admissions. Since the April 10 general election, the government seems to be focusing more on preventing medical school professors from leaving rather than on the return of residents. Because the possibility of residents returning soon is low, the stance is that protecting the remaining professors is essential to prevent a medical crisis.
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