Minister Cho Kyu-hong's Briefing on Medical Reform Issues on the 4th
"A Decision to Prevent Increasing Gaps in Medical Care"
Supporting Specialist Certification by Adjusting Training Periods upon Resident Return
The government announced on the 4th that it will suspend administrative disciplinary procedures for residents who left their posts in protest against the increase in medical school admissions. Additionally, the order given to hospital directors to prohibit acceptance of resignation letters and the orders imposed on residents to maintain medical services and commence work will also be withdrawn as of this day. Through these measures, the government hopes that the residents who have not yet returned will promptly come back to the field.
Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated at a briefing on medical reform held at the Government Seoul Office that "the order prohibiting hospital directors from accepting resignation letters and the orders imposed on residents to maintain medical services and commence work will be withdrawn as of today, allowing residents to decide individually whether to return rather than through collective action."
He added, "This is a decision made by the government to prevent further gaps in medical services by reflecting the opinions of patients, the public, and the medical field."
This marks a somewhat more conciliatory stance compared to the previously firm approach emphasizing 'mechanical law enforcement.' Regarding the policy change, Minister Cho explained, "The government decided to withdraw the order despite anticipating criticism because there were continuous requests from the field to allow acceptance of resignation letters." He further stated, "Although an emergency medical system has been operating for over three months with the cooperation of the public, residents have not returned to the field for over 100 days, causing medical staff to become exhausted and increasing the suffering of patients with severe illnesses. Therefore, a policy change to facilitate residents' return was inevitable."
Minister Cho urged, "From today, hospital directors should confirm the individual intentions of residents and counsel and persuade them to return to the medical field," assuring that the government will also ensure there are no obstacles to residents' return.
The government plans to suspend administrative disciplinary procedures for returning residents and support them in obtaining specialist qualifications.
Minister Cho stated, "Once residents return, we will halt administrative disciplinary procedures so they can focus on training without legal burdens," adding, "We will promote obtaining specialist qualifications at the necessary time through adjustments to the training period." The government is considering shortening training periods and adding specialist exams for returning residents.
He also said, "Returning residents who resigned will be supported to obtain specialist qualifications according to their desired career paths, such as by shortening training periods or providing additional opportunities for specialist or qualification exams, to help them acquire qualifications as originally planned."
On this day, when the government sends documents withdrawing the 'prohibition on accepting residents' resignation letters' order to each training hospital, hospital directors will be able to decide on resignation through individual consultations with residents starting immediately. The government has not set a deadline for accepting resignations. Since the size of residents and individual circumstances of those who left vary by hospital, the government explained that no deadline for acceptance has been set. However, a mid-term review of progress will be conducted at the end of this month, with supplementary measures taken if necessary.
Additionally, separate support measures will be devised for residents who did not participate in collective action and remained on site. This is in response to concerns about fairness if residents who left return without administrative penalties. Minister Cho said, "We need to establish special provisions related to training, and we will carefully listen to opinions from the field during this process."
Regarding residents who have not returned, the government plans to decide on disciplinary actions after reviewing the situation. Minister Cho stated, "We will respond comprehensively by considering the medical field situation, the level of residents' return, and public opinion," adding, "Even if not through administrative penalties, differences between returnees and non-returnees will inevitably arise through various means such as restrictions on training opportunities."
The government expressed hope that as many residents as possible will return through this measure. Minister Cho said, "We cannot currently estimate the exact number, but we hope many residents will return to their affiliated hospitals," and cautiously added, "Although the government is preparing measures to resolve the medical service gap if most do not return, it is not a situation to disclose at this time."
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