Government "Welcomes Doctors Willing to Participate in Dialogue... Prompt Resignation Processing for Residents Unable to Return"

"Hope to come to the table for dialogue as soon as possible"
"Hope Suryun Hospital stabilizes by the end of June"

The government expressed a welcoming stance toward the Korean Medical Association (KMA), which stated it would participate in the 'Water System Transfer Special Committee' (Special Committee) to be formed by the government if discussions on medical school admission quotas begin from 2025. It also conveyed hopes that training hospitals would promptly process resignations of residents who find it difficult to return, stabilizing hospital sites by the end of June.

Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyuhong is attending and speaking at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting related to the doctors' collective action held on the 25th at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yongjun

On the 25th, Cho Kyu-hong, First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Medical Collective Action (Minister of Health and Welfare), said in his opening remarks at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting, "Recently, the Medical Association announced the formation of a 'Special Committee for Proper Medical Care,' encompassing medical school professors and city/provincial medical associations, and expressed willingness to participate in medical-government consultations. We welcome the medical community's intention to engage in dialogue, even at this stage."

Earlier, on the 20th, the KMA held a briefing at its headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, stating, "If discussions on the 2025 medical school admission quotas begin now, we will naturally participate," and added, "If the number increases by 1,500 next year, irreversible problems will arise in the educational field."

Minister Cho said, "The government has reflected the long-standing demands of the medical community by preparing medical reform tasks and concretizing them. To this end, the Medical Reform Special Committee was formed at the end of April, and so far, four plenary meetings and nineteen expert committee meetings have been held to advance discussions at a rapid pace," adding, "If the medical community participates and contributes wisdom, we can come closer to completing genuine medical reform for the benefit of the public, patients, doctors, and healthcare workers alike."

He continued, "Since the government has repeatedly stated its readiness to engage in dialogue anytime, in any form, and on any agenda, we now hope the medical community will come to the negotiating table as soon as possible."

He also urged residents to return, promising improvements to the training environment. Minister Cho said, "Despite the government's decisive withdrawal of various administrative orders, the majority of residents remain away from medical sites and are reluctant to participate in dialogue, which is regrettable. You are precious individuals who have chosen essential medical fields that many avoid for the sake of the public and patients. Suspending your training in this manner is a personal misfortune and a significant loss to the nation."

He added, "We feel a heavy responsibility for the government's failure to create conditions where proper training can be received, such as poor working conditions and relatively low compensation," and said, "This time, we will definitely make changes."

Addressing training hospitals, he said, "The government has already announced that it will halt disciplinary procedures for residents who return to the field and provide maximum support so they can train without obstacles," and earnestly requested, "As mentors and seniors in the medical community, please do your utmost to persuade residents to return to their positions."

He also urged, "For residents who find it difficult to return, please promptly process their resignations to stabilize hospital sites by the end of June."

To the public, he said, "We will thoroughly inspect and ensure that the emergency medical system operates without disruption to minimize inconvenience to patients and the public," and added, "We will do our best to resolve the issue through dialogue with the medical community without giving up until the end."