Seoul National University Hospital Undergoes Mass Strike Starting Today
Medical Association Also Strikes Tomorrow... Government and Medical Sector at Odds
President Yoon Suk-yeol on the 17th urged the relevant ministries to "thoroughly prepare emergency measures" in response to the medical community's collective action opposing the expansion of medical school quotas.
During his weekly meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo that day, President Yoon said, "I hope you will thoroughly prepare emergency measures against the medical community's illegal refusal to provide medical services," according to Kim Soo-kyung, spokesperson for the Presidential Office.
Professors from hospitals affiliated with Seoul National University College of Medicine, including Seoul National University Hospital, Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, Boramae Hospital, and Seoul National University Hospital Gangnam Center, began a collective strike from that day, and President Yoon officially characterized this as an "illegal refusal to provide medical services."
According to the Seoul National University College of Medicine Emergency Response Committee, from that day until the 22nd, more than half of the total 967 professors will either suspend or reduce outpatient services, postpone regular surgeries, procedures, and examinations.
The Korea Medical Association (KMA) also plans to start a collective strike on the 18th and hold a general rally at 2 p.m. on the same day in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo District.
The KMA revealed three government demands the day before: ▲reconsideration of medical school quota expansion ▲modification of key issues in the essential medical care policy package ▲cancellation of all administrative orders related to residents and medical students and cessation of threats of legal action. They stated that if the government accepts these demands, they would reconsider postponing the collective strike.
However, the government rejected this, stating that "it is inappropriate to demand government policy changes on the premise of an illegal full-scale strike."
Since the government has maintained its existing stance, the strong confrontation between the medical community and the government is expected to continue for the time being.
Prime Minister Han presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the doctors' collective action the previous day and explained, "It is difficult to accept the request to retroactively nullify measures taken according to the Constitution and laws, no matter how many times we consider it."
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