Korea University Hospital Indefinitely Suspends Services from the 12th... "Government Must Actively Accept Residents' Demands"

General Medical Care Subjects Excluding Emergency and Severe Patients

The Emergency Response Committee (ERC) of professors at Korea University College of Medicine will begin an indefinite voluntary work stoppage starting from the 12th. The stoppage will apply to general medical services, excluding emergency and severe patients.

Exterior view of Korea University Anam Hospital. [Image source=Korea University Anam Hospital]

On the 1st, the ERC stated in a press release that they demand the government actively accept the residents' demands and engage in dialogue with the residents. The ERC said, "At the National Assembly hearing on the 26th of last month, it was revealed that the government unilaterally decided to increase medical school admissions without sufficient discussion with the medical community and induced collective action by the residents. The government ignored criticisms regarding the lack of justification for increasing medical school admissions."

They also pointed out, "It was revealed at the hearing that there is no budget plan related to the increase, and the government is only presenting superficial alternatives regarding the inadequate educational environment."

They then announced that they will begin an indefinite voluntary work stoppage starting from the 12th. The ERC stated, "The medical community attempted dialogue by proposing solutions and compromises, but the government did not accept a single condition and instead repeatedly issued ultra vires administrative orders. To prevent medical staff overwork and protect patient safety, from July 12th, we will conduct an indefinite voluntary work stoppage targeting general medical services excluding emergency and severe patients."

They also demanded the withdrawal of oppression against medical students and residents. The ERC emphasized, "The government is pressuring university presidents not to approve medical students' leaves of absence and is continuously exerting pressure and threats on hospital administrations to process residents' resignations not in February but in early June. We strongly demand that the government withdraw its oppression regarding student leave approvals and residents' resignation processing, actively accept the residents' demands to resolve the current medical crisis, and engage in dialogue with the residents."

They added, "We urge the government to accept our demands regarding students and residents even now and sincerely engage in dialogue with the medical community."