The Korean Medical Association and Seoul National University College of Medicine Each Vote on Total Strike... "If Approved, We Will Conduct a Coordinated Work Stoppage"

Over 50% Voting Rate for Seoul National University Medical School Professors' Emergency Committee as of the 5th
Seoul National University Medical School Emergency Committee: "Firmly Plan Not to Provide Medical Services"
KMA to Decide on General Strike Schedule on the 9th if Passed

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) and the Emergency Response Committee of Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital (Seoul National University College of Medicine Emergency Committee) are expected to realize a general strike within this month if the ongoing votes currently in progress are approved. Both the KMA and the Emergency Committee are highly anticipating approval and are discussing specific strike methods. In particular, unlike the symbolic partial closures so far, Seoul National University College of Medicine has adopted a basic policy of 'definitely not providing medical services' at all four hospitals: Seoul National University Hospital, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Boramae Hospital, and Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Center.

The Emergency Committee of Seoul National University College of Medicine has been conducting a general strike vote over three days starting from the 4th to decide on 'complete closure.' According to the Emergency Committee, as of the morning of the 5th, about 800 out of approximately 1,500 professors participated in the vote, exceeding a 50% turnout.

The Emergency Committee plans to immediately initiate a collective closure within this month if the vote passes. Oh Seung-won, a professor at Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Center and the committee’s public relations officer, said, "We have not set specific thresholds for turnout and approval rates, but we believe both should be a majority," adding, "The collective closure will likely occur within June."

The Emergency Committee plans to suspend outpatient and surgical services across all medical departments except for vital areas directly related to patient survival, such as emergency rooms, intensive care units, childbirth, and kidney dialysis. Professor Oh stated, "The fundamental premise is that essential medical services for patients must be excluded from the closure," and added, "There are detailed differences by medical department, so specific methods are still being coordinated."

Unlike previous closures at Seoul National University Hospital where individual professors decided whether to participate, this time, participation in the closure will be the default for all, with exceptions for vital areas. Professor Oh Seung-won said, "We cannot and should not block examination rooms entirely," but added, "While previous closures gave professors 100% choice, this time the basic policy is not to provide medical services, with exceptions made accordingly."

The KMA is also conducting an online general strike vote among all members over four days starting from the 4th. After the vote, the KMA plans to hold the National Medical Representatives Conference (Jeon-ui-dae) at 2 p.m. on the 9th at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to discuss specific response measures.

If the vote passes, there is a high possibility that a strike focused on private practitioners will begin within this month. A KMA official said, "If a strike occurs, it will start as soon as possible," and added, "Specific details such as the strike schedule and methods will be decided at the Jeon-ui-dae on the 9th." However, the exact criteria for initiating the strike have not yet been determined. The KMA official stated, "There are no separate approval criteria based on turnout or approval rates. This is to gauge members' opinions and trends and to gather public sentiment," and added, "Based on this, discussions will be held at the Jeon-ui-dae on the 9th."