Korean Prime Minister: "No Halt to Medical Reform... Doctors Exist for Patients"

'Doctors' Collective Action' Led Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters Meeting
"Doctors Mentioning Clinic Closures, Think of Patients"
"Secondary Reserve Funds for Emergency Medical System Also Under Review"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated, "We will continuously pursue medical reform to protect the lives of the people and normalize the healthcare system." This reaffirmed the government's determination to complete medical reform despite doctors' opposition, as President Yoon Suk-yeol announced in a press conference.

On the morning of the 10th, at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters meeting on doctors' collective actions held at the Government Seoul Office, Prime Minister Han said, "Yesterday (the 9th), the President held a press conference to explain national issues in detail to the public and once again expressed his determination to complete the medical reform supported by the majority of the people," emphasizing, "The government exists for the people, and doctors exist for the patients."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on collective medical action held at the Government Seoul Office on the 10th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

He pointed out, "Recently, some university hospital professors announced a collective one-day strike and mass resignation," adding, "Although few actually left the field, many patients had to endure anxiety." He continued, "Despite this, some medical school professors have again threatened to hold a collective strike, which is truly regrettable," expressing concern, "I believe most doctors will stay by the patients' side, but thinking about the anxiety patients feel weighs heavily on my heart."

He further urged, "Doctors who mention collective strikes, please consider the suffering of those with incurable diseases, the elderly with weak health, parents raising sick babies, and those anxiously awaiting delayed cancer treatments," and reiterated, "I hope you make decisions and act for the sake of the patients."

Prime Minister Han said, "We have thoroughly informed the public about all matters related to increasing medical school admissions and will continue to disclose information transparently," adding, "We will do our best to establish a sustainable healthcare system and improve the training and educational environment for residents and medical students." He also requested, "Senior residents may find it difficult to take the specialist exam next year if their training gaps lengthen, so I hope they make a decision and return to their posts."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is presiding over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the collective action of medical professionals held at the Government Seoul Office on the 10th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

He also announced the policy regarding allowing foreign medical license holders to practice medicine domestically. Prime Minister Han explained, "We have announced legislation to allow foreign medical license holders to perform medical activities under the supervision of specialists in Korea with the approval of the Minister of Health and Welfare during severe disaster crisis stages," describing this as "a measure to maximize the medical protection system for our people and to strengthen the foundation of the emergency medical system." He emphasized, "We will implement thorough safety measures to ensure that under no circumstances will unverified doctors treat our citizens."

Additionally, Prime Minister Han said, "We are continuously strengthening the emergency medical system to properly treat severe and emergency patients and support medical staff who are protecting hospitals without neglect," noting, "Currently, 427 public health doctors and military medical officers are being deployed according to medical institution demand and regional roles, and additional support is under consideration." He added, "Through health insurance finances, we are providing 188.2 billion won monthly for three months to hospitals and medical staff, and recently decided to extend support for one more month," explaining, "Following the first supplementary budget of 128.5 billion won in March, a second supplementary budget is also under review."