KMA: "50,000 Participate in One Day of General Strike Vote"… "Results Announced on the 9th"

"'Withdrawal of 'Order to Prohibit Acceptance of Resignation Letters' and Other Government Announcements Have No Impact on the Medical Community'"

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) announced that nearly 50,000 participants took part in the general strike vote within just one day since it began on the 4th, and that they will discuss the specific timing and methods of the general strike on the 9th.

Choi Anna, spokesperson for the Korean Medical Association, is answering questions from the press after the joint meeting held at the KMA Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 5th.
Photo by Choi Taewon peaceful1@

The KMA made this announcement after a joint meeting held on the afternoon of the 5th at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, with the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, the National Emergency Committee of Medical Schools, and the National Association of Medical School Professors. Anna Choi, spokesperson for the KMA, said at a briefing following the meeting, "Voting started yesterday (the 4th) at 5 p.m., and more than 48,000 people have already participated in the vote," adding, "The results will be announced at the National Medical Representatives Conference (Jeon-ui-dae) on the 9th."

She continued, "This will mark the beginning of doctors nationwide?residents, medical students, university professors, private practitioners, and employed doctors alike?coming together to resolve the issue."

She added, "A day is urgent for the normalization of medical services, but the government has confirmed that it has neither the will nor the ability to resolve this, so we cannot leave it as is," and said, "We have united to solve this problem centered around the KMA."

However, when asked by reporters about the specific timing or methods of the general strike, she replied, "We will unite our intentions at the Jeon-ui-dae on the 9th and inform you later."

She also reported that the government's announcement the previous day, including the 'order to prohibit acceptance of resignation letters,' has not influenced the medical community. She said, "The government’s announcement has had no effect on the urgent need to normalize medical services," adding, "It only admits how baseless and unprepared the various policies the government has pushed through so far have been."