Medical School Professors' Collective Strike Spreads to Major Hospitals... "Joining the Government Protest"

Participation from 3 of the Big 5, 2 Under Discussion
Jeonui GyoHyup and Jeonui Bi Express Interest
Discussions Extend to Kyung Hee, Hanyang, and Chung Ang University Medical Schools

Professors from major medical schools and hospitals are considering participating in a collective strike and the Korean Medical Association (KMA) rally on the 18th. Three of the Big 5 medical schools have confirmed their participation, while the remaining two are still in discussions. Professors from other major medical schools such as Hanyang University, Kyung Hee University, and Chung-Ang University are also discussing participation in the collective strike.

Im Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association, is declaring a struggle at the National Doctors' Representatives Conference held at the Korean Medical Association in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 9th.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

According to the medical community on the 11th, professors at Seoul National University College of Medicine will begin an indefinite strike starting on the 17th. The emergency response committees of Sungkyunkwan University College of Medicine and Yonsei University College of Medicine, which oversee Samsung Seoul Hospital and Severance Hospital respectively, have decided to fully participate in the strike on the 18th. The University of Ulsan College of Medicine, affiliated with Seoul Asan Hospital, and the Catholic University, affiliated with Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, will decide on participation in the collective strike through meetings tomorrow afternoon. The emergency committee of Korea University College of Medicine is conducting a survey among professors on whether to strike on the 18th, with responses due by the 11th.

The National Council of Medical School Professors (Jeonui Gyohyeop), representing 40 medical schools nationwide, has also decided to join the strike following the KMA's decision. Specific details will be discussed at the regular general meeting on the 12th. Kim Chang-soo, former president of Jeonui Gyohyeop, stated, "We have decided to join the KMA in the struggle against the government," adding, "Since the circumstances differ by hospital, the professors' councils at each hospital are currently discussing the specific methods of the strike."

In addition, professors from Kyung Hee University, Hanyang University, and Chung-Ang University Colleges of Medicine are reportedly discussing participation in the strike on the 18th. The National Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors (Jeon-ui-bi), which includes 19 medical schools, also plans to join the strike on the 18th.

Earlier, on the 9th, the KMA held a nationwide doctors' representatives meeting at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, announcing a full strike and a general rally on the 18th. From the 4th to the 7th, the KMA conducted a survey among all members regarding collective action. Out of 111,861 eligible voters, 70,800 participated, showing a 63.3% turnout. Among the respondents, 73.5% supported participating in collective action, including the strike.

Meanwhile, regarding the medical community's general strike, the government has announced a tough response. On the 10th, at the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Doctors' Collective Action' meeting, Health and Welfare Minister Cho Kyu-hong stated, "The government expresses serious concern and deep regret regarding this (strike)," adding, "It is a clear illegal act and undermines social trust in doctors themselves, which the public will never tolerate."

Furthermore, the government plans to review whether the KMA's coercion of individual doctors to strike violates the Fair Trade Act. If a violation is confirmed, penalties may include fines up to 1 billion KRW and criminal charges.