"Striking Over Public Safety, Doctors Are Excessive," Hong Joon-pyo Criticizes

Medical School Professors "One-Week Collective Strike If Enrollment Increase Confirmed"

As the medical community continues its strike in opposition to the policy of increasing medical school admissions, Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo has harshly criticized healthcare professionals.

Photo by Dongju Yoon doso7@

On the 3rd, he wrote on Facebook, "While 80% of the public supports increasing medical school admissions, only doctors persistently oppose the increase and outright refuse to even enter the public discourse, which is inconsistent with the Hippocratic Oath taken when becoming a doctor."

Mayor Hong pointed out, "Doctors are not individuals or fighters but public officials," adding, "Striking at the expense of the lives of the people is an excessive act no matter how you look at it."

He continued, "Please return to the public forum and sincerely resolve this medical crisis through dialogue and compromise," and "I repeatedly ask you to stand solemnly before the public, as befits a profession that deals with life."

Contrary to Mayor Hong’s wishes, medical school professors nationwide have resolved to begin a nationwide suspension of outpatient care and non-emergency surgeries starting on the 10th.

The National Emergency Response Committee of Medical School Professors (Jeon-ui-bi) held an online general meeting on the afternoon of the 3rd, stating, "If the government proceeds with the medical school admission increase process and finalizes the quota for 2025, we discussed various actions including a one-week collective suspension," and "A nationwide suspension is scheduled for the 10th, and thereafter, depending on each university’s situation, we plan to have one suspension day per week through on-duty shifts and rescheduling of treatments."

Approximately 51 hospitals affiliated with 19 medical schools nationwide are expected to participate in the suspension scheduled for the 10th. Currently, Jeon-ui-bi includes 19 medical schools: Wonkwang University, Ulsan University, Inje University, Daegu Catholic University, Seoul National University, Gyeongsang National University, Hanyang University, Yonsei University, Kangwon National University, Keimyung University, Konyang University, Pusan National University, Konkuk University, Jeju National University, Ewha Womans University, Korea University Anam, Korea University Guro, Chonnam National University, Eulji University, and Catholic University.

Next year’s nationwide medical school admission quota is expected to increase by up to 1,509 students from the current quota of 3,058. However, the court has requested a temporary suspension of the increase-related procedures while it reviews the medical community’s injunction request by mid-May, leaving the final quota confirmation still far off. Approval of the medical school admission quota is expected only at the end of this month after the court’s decision, and the Ministry of Education has also stated, "In the worst-case scenario, the increase could be entirely halted."