Administrative Action Planned After Fact Verification
The government is conducting on-site investigations targeting medical institutions in cities and counties where the suspension rate exceeded 30% during the collective strike by the Korea Medical Association (KMA).
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 20th, on the 18th when the KMA's collective strike and the nationwide doctors' rally took place, the suspension rates of private clinics in cities and counties exceeding 30% were recorded in four locations: Muju-gun, Jeonbuk (90.91%), Yeongdong-gun, Chungbuk (79.17%), Boeun-gun, Chungbuk (64.29%), and Hongseong-gun, Chungnam (54.0%). Previously, the government stated that if the local suspension rate exceeds 30%, it would be regarded as non-compliance with the order to commence work and would be strictly dealt with according to the law.
In Muju, Jeonbuk, 10 out of 11 clinics suspended operations. In Yeongdong, Chungbuk, 19 out of 24 clinics, in Boeun, Chungbuk, 9 out of 14 clinics, and in Hongseong, Chungnam, 27 out of 50 clinics suspended operations respectively.
The government plans to ascertain the facts through on-site investigations, including whether there are legitimate reasons for the suspension. Subsequently, administrative sanctions will be decided at the local government level. Administrative sanctions are planned after fact-finding.
On the 18th, the day of the KMA's full strike, the government issued an order to commence work targeting private practitioners nationwide at 9 a.m. On that day, the nationwide suspension rate of medical institutions was 14.9%. The suspension rate varied significantly by region. Jeonnam was only 6.4%, but Daejeon reached 22.9%. Following Daejeon, the suspension rates were highest in Sejong at 19.0%, Gangwon at 18.8%, Gyeonggi at 17.3%, Seoul at 16.6%, Jeonbuk at 15.2%, and Incheon at 14.5%.
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