"Chapter Presidents and Members, Colleagues to Be Respected and United With"
The Korean Medical Association (KMA)'s declaration of an indefinite strike has caused confusion even within the medical community.
On the 19th, according to the medical community, Lee Dong-wook, president of the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association, stated in a position paper titled "Regarding the Indefinite Strike Announcement on the 27th," "First of all, I sincerely apologize for the sudden announcement of the indefinite strike on the 27th at the National Doctors' General Rally, which caught us off guard." He added, "The 16 metropolitan and provincial association presidents, including myself, also heard about the indefinite strike for the first time when KMA President Lim Hyun-taek announced it at the Yeouido rally."
He continued, "I do not wish to discuss the appropriateness or pros and cons of the indefinite strike at all," but pointed out, "What members find frustrating and concerning is that the democratic legitimacy and procedural appropriateness of decision-making in President Lim's administration are not being observed at all."
He also said, "Not only is there discord with the representative of residents who are at the forefront of the struggle, but the administration ignores the council of delegates, metropolitan and provincial association presidents, and auditors, making it difficult to gain members' sympathy and causing concern among members," emphasizing, "The KMA is not an arbitrary organization of President Lim alone; procedural and process legitimacy is important for an official organization."
He added, "Putting aside the feasibility and appropriateness of the indefinite strike, there is a fatal problem with the decision-making administration method and procedures," and "The metropolitan and provincial association presidents and members are colleagues who should be respected and work together with, not pawns on President Lim's chessboard."
Earlier, President Lim declared at the National Doctors' General Rally held in Yeouido, Seoul, the previous day, that they would begin an indefinite strike starting on the 27th.
Regarding the formation of the Pan-Medical Community Countermeasures Committee (Pan-Committee) to discuss government opposition strategies, there was friction with the representative of residents. Park Dan, an emergency committee member of the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), who was offered a co-chair position of the Pan-Committee, drew a line by stating no intention to participate. On the morning of the same day, Park Dan posted on personal social media, "I have not heard about the co-chair position of the Pan-Committee," and "Even if a consultative body is formed under the current circumstances, KIRA has consistently expressed its position not to participate."
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