Seoul National University College of Medicine Professors Extend Vote on 'Complete Strike'

The Emergency Response Committee of the Seoul National University College of Medicine-Seoul National University Hospital Professors' Council held a press conference titled "To the Presidential Office Red Team: 'Is Medical Reform Okay as It Is?'" on the 28th at the Seoul Press Center. Vice Chairman Kang Hee-kyung is reading a message addressed to the "Presidential Office Dream Team." Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

Professors from Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital have decided to extend the general strike vote, which will determine whether to implement a 'complete work stoppage,' until the morning of the 6th.

The Emergency Response Committee of Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital held a general meeting on the afternoon of the 4th with all professors present and decided to extend the general strike vote, originally scheduled for one day, until the morning of the 6th and to announce the results on the same day.

The committee made this decision because the government announced it would suspend administrative disciplinary procedures against returned residents and withdraw the order prohibiting training hospital directors from accepting resignation letters, deeming that a broader collection of opinions was necessary.

The medical community, including the committee, expressed skepticism that the government's announcement of the 'suspension of administrative disciplinary actions' for returned residents might simply be a temporary suspension of effectiveness.

One professor attending the general meeting said, "The government's suspension of administrative disciplinary actions until residents obtain their specialist certification seems like an attempt to prevent residents from rising up again," adding, "We plan to carefully review the announcement made today by the Minister of Health and Welfare and approach the general strike cautiously."

Professor Oh Seung-won of Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Center, who is in charge of publicity for the committee, also explained that more time was needed to gather opinions, which is why the extension was made.

Professor Oh said, "Given the gravity of the issue, we extended the period to collect more opinions from professors," adding, "So far, 65% of votes have agreed to the work stoppage, but we will encourage more professors to participate."

The general strike is expected to proceed by suspending outpatient services and regular surgeries in all medical departments except for essential areas directly related to patients' lives, such as emergency rooms, intensive care units, childbirth, and kidney dialysis.

The committee warned that unlike previous individual work stoppages, this time all professors except those in essential medical fields might stop working simultaneously.