The governors of 17 cities and provinces nationwide urged the medical community to halt collective strikes and other group actions. They emphasized that the government and the medical sector should collaboratively discuss the direction of medical reform.
The Korea Association of Governors of Cities and Provinces issued a joint appeal on the 19th, requesting, "Please stop collective strikes or discussions about collective strikes and protect the lives and health of patients in medical settings." The association is chaired by Park Hyung-jun, mayor of Busan Metropolitan City, with the other 16 governors participating.
Furthermore, the association asked, "Based on the principles of dialogue, communication, concession, and compromise, please have the government and the medical community jointly discuss the medical policies and reform directions that our society will create."
They also encouraged residents and medical students, who are continuing their group actions, to return to the field. The association proposed to the government, "Please persuade the residents who have left the medical field and the students who are refusing classes to return to their primary duties."
The association stated that the appeal was made from the standpoint of being responsible for the health and safety of local communities. While expressing gratitude to the medical community by saying, "The dedication and service you showed during the COVID-19 crisis remain deeply appreciated by all citizens," they also emphasized, "Medical treatment and prescriptions are matters of urgency. Professors of medical schools and university hospitals, who are key medical personnel in our society and also mentors to residents and medical students, must be present in the medical field."
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