Medical Community Foresees 'Serious Big Fight'... Strike Possibility Remains 'Uncertain'

Discussion on Holding 'General Strike' Vote in Medical Sector
Diverging Opinions Among Doctors

The medical community has drawn attention to the possibility of an actual strike as it announced the start of a 'major battle' at a candlelight rally and discussed a vote on a 'general doctors' strike.'

Doctors attended the candlelight vigil for the Korean medical death verdict hosted by the Korean Medical Association in front of Daehanmun Gate at Deoksugung Palace, Jung-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 30th of last month, shouting slogans. Im Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association (center front), hinted at the possibility of a medical strike, stating, "From June, we will start a major fight against medical manipulation in earnest." [Image source=Yonhap News]

Im Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), attended a candlelight rally opposing the increase in medical school admissions held on the 30th of last month in front of Daehanmun at Deoksugung Palace in Jung-gu, Seoul. He said, "The government is ignoring the voices from the medical field and continuing with one-way traffic and oppressive suppression reminiscent of military dictatorship," adding, "Starting in June, we will launch a full-scale major battle against the medical manipulation. The (medical school) professors have willingly agreed. Now, private practitioners and employed doctors must also actively join this major battle."

Following this, discussions were held about conducting a vote among all KMA members, including private practitioners, on a 'general doctors' strike.' On the 2nd, the KMA held an 'Emergency Meeting of the 42nd Presidents of City and Provincial Medical Associations' at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to discuss follow-up measures such as a general doctors' strike. However, it was confirmed that even the decision to proceed with the vote has not yet been finalized. KMA spokesperson Sung Hye-young told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "It is true that discussions were held at the meeting of city and provincial medical association presidents about holding a vote on a general strike," but added, "The emergency meeting of the city and provincial medical association presidents is not a meeting to decide whether to hold the strike vote."

Meanwhile, medical school professors have expressed their intention to engage in forms of protest other than a strike. Kim Chang-soo, president of the National Association of Medical School Professors, stated at the 'Emergency Committee Symposium of the Catholic University Medical School Professors' on the 31st of last month, "We will fight fiercely over the next three years to reform the unreasonable systems in the medical field," but drew a line by saying, "The method of protest will not be a strike or similar actions." He added, "We will advocate for the necessity of proper medical reform based on objective research and evidence."

One specific form of protest mentioned was the recent non-participation and non-response campaign announced by the Korean Association of Medical Interns and Residents. Kim said, "The non-participation and non-response campaign will have a stronger impact than suspension of work, strikes, or temporary closures," and added, "We are continuing to discuss plans on how to carry out the campaign."

He also explained, "Over this year and next, we plan to further activate the medical school professors' union and consider establishing separate contractual relationships between professors and hospitals regarding education and research. If this happens, when similar situations arise in the future, we will be able to gain legitimacy for protests or strikes."

Opinions among doctors regarding the general strike are reportedly divided. According to a doctors-only online community on the 3rd, arguments both for "It should definitely be done" and against "It won't help and will backfire" have been raised. In a post titled "Is a general strike a good choice?" supportive comments included "If we do nothing, we become doormats," "Better than not doing it; it's not like we lose and just go back," and "We have no more cards to play." Opposing comments sharply clashed, saying, "It's a foolish method. President Yoon Seok-yeol won't listen because of a strike," and "They might just crush us thinking 'Good, let's stomp on them.' That was why some resigned and left at the beginning, fearing this."

An employed doctor specializing in a field also said, "I am negative about a general strike. I think the chances of success and gaining anything are small," but added, "However, since the government is excessively demonizing and provoking doctors, it is difficult to oppose the general strike atmosphere."

He continued, "Even if the general strike proceeds, I expect the participation rate of private practitioners to be around 10%. During the 2020 strike, the participation rate of private practitioners in suspending work was only 10-30%," he added.