Few Clinics Report Closure... Only an Average of 3 Clinics in 6 Seoul Districts

As of the morning of the 13th, 0 to 8 reports per autonomous district
KMA: "The order to report suspension of medical services itself is absurd"

The government has issued a suspension reporting order to private practitioners ahead of a planned collective strike, but it appears that almost no actual suspension reports have been filed.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

According to six district health centers in Seoul, as of the morning of the 13th, the last day of the suspension reporting deadline, between 0 and 8 clinics per district had reported suspension. The numbers by district are as follows: 0 in Nowon-gu, 2 in Jung-gu, 3 in Yongsan-gu, 3 in Mapo-gu, 3 in Seocho-gu, and 8 in Eunpyeong-gu. Gangnam and Geumcheon-gu are currently compiling suspension reports, while Dongjak and Gwangjin-gu stated they could not provide confirmation.

However, concerns about the collective strike remain. A health center official said, "There is no way to know if someone suspends operations arbitrarily," adding, "Accurate confirmation will only be possible on the day of the collective strike." Another health center official also said, "On the 18th, the day of the suspension, we plan to verify suspended clinics through on-site inspections and phone calls, and then inform the public via the health center website and notification messages."

The medical community does not place much significance on the low number of suspension reports. Chaedongyoung, Public Relations Director of the Korean Medical Association, said, "The suspension reporting order itself is absurd," adding, "Individuals may be sick or have schedules on that day, but since the government is requiring reports, most are thought not to report."

He continued, "What is important is that, regardless of suspension reports, many want to participate in the KMA's rally," and added, "The government issuing a suspension reporting order while saying private practitioners will not participate in the strike seems like a self-contradiction."

Earlier, on the 10th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare expressed concern over the medical community's collective strike during a Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasure Headquarters (CDSCH) briefing and issued treatment orders and suspension reporting orders to private practitioners. Jeon Byeongwang, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry, said, "Each city and province will issue treatment orders to medical institutions under their jurisdiction based on Article 59, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act, requiring treatment without suspension on the strike day, June 18," and added, "Nevertheless, medical institutions intending to suspend on that day must report by the 13th."

If treatment orders or suspension reporting orders are violated, the Ministry of Health and Welfare may impose administrative sanctions including suspension of medical licenses for up to one year. If administrative sanctions are repeated three times, license revocation is also possible. Private practitioners who violate orders may also be reported to judicial authorities.