Most Residents Have Not Returned... Government Says "Second Half Recruitment Schedule Will Proceed Without Delay"

Resident Attendance Rate Still at 8% Level

Although the deadline set by the government for the return and resignation processing of residents has passed, it has been revealed that most residents have not returned.

On the morning of the 9th, a dedicated space for residents at a university hospital in downtown Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced this after the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (CDSCH) meeting held on the morning of the 16th regarding the doctors' collective action. According to the ministry, as of the previous day, most residents had not yet returned to training hospitals, and it was confirmed that they were unresponsive to hospital contacts.

According to the ministry, as of noon the previous day, the attendance rate of residents at all 211 training hospitals was only 8.4% (1,155 out of 13,756). The number of attendees increased by only 44 compared to 1,111 on the 12th.

The government plans to proceed smoothly with the second half resident recruitment schedule starting on the 22nd. Each training hospital must complete the resignation processing for residents who have not returned as requested by the government and confirm the scale of vacancies, then submit this to the Training Environment Evaluation Committee directly under the Minister of Health and Welfare by the 17th.

Additionally, the government stated that it is actively discussing detailed medical reform plans through the Medical Reform Special Committee (Uigae Teukwi). Following the 5th Medical Reform Special Committee meeting held on the 11th, which reviewed directions for restructuring tertiary general hospitals and innovating the medical dispute mediation system, the 5th Expert Committee under the Uigae Teukwi will be held this week to identify detailed tasks.

Lee Hangyeong, the 2nd Chief Coordinator of the CDSCH, said, "Now is the time for everyone to unite for better medical reform," adding, "We hope that both the public and medical staff will present reasonable and constructive alternatives and actively participate in medical reform for the future of healthcare in the Republic of Korea that everyone desires."

He continued, "We also hope that residents will train in better environments and grow into proud specialists," and added, "The government will do its best to establish a sustainable medical care system."