"'Big 5' Resident Resignation Processing Imminent... 'Must Follow Government Policy'"

4 of the Big 5 Proceed to Fill Vacancies After Resignation
"Hospitals Struggle to Respond Individually"... Monitoring Government Measures

Most of the Big 5 hospitals (Seoul National University Hospital, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul Asan Hospital, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Severance Hospital) plan to collectively process the resignations of residents who have not returned, but it has been confirmed that no appropriate measures are being considered. Due to the nature of the hospital industry, individual responses are difficult, and they are waiting for government measures.

According to the hospital sector on the 17th, among the Big 5 hospitals, except for Severance Hospital, the other four plan to collectively resign residents who have not returned and fill the vacancies through the resident recruitment in September, known as the "autumn turn." Officials from these hospitals stated, "We plan to collectively resign residents who have not returned," and "We intend to replenish through the second half resident recruitment." Severance Hospital, which has not yet made a decision, is also reportedly reviewing whether to collectively resign the residents who have not returned.

However, the application rate for the autumn turn among residents is also expected to be low, so there are no clear countermeasures. A representative from Seoul St. Mary's Hospital said, "We hope many residents will apply in September, but if not, we will have to continue as is," adding, "Since the hospital industry ultimately operates under the policies of health authorities, we are watching (the government's response)." A representative from Seoul Asan Hospital also said, "We are not separately reviewing countermeasures in case of low applications for the second half resident recruitment," and "We will have to follow the government's direction. There is no sharp solution for individual hospitals."

Meanwhile, Seoul National University Hospital sent a "Resignation Agreement" to residents who resigned the day before, detailing the timing of acceptance of resignation letters and legal responsibilities. According to the medical community, the Education and Training Team at Seoul National University Hospital sent the "Resignation Agreement" to residents who had not expressed their intention to return or resign and requested a reply by 6 p.m. that day.

The resignation letter acceptance date is set for July 15, but the effective date of resignation is to be backdated to February 29. It is known that this separation of acceptance date and effective date was made in response to some requests from residents. However, it was also notified that if there is no response, the resignation letter will be accepted on July 15. The agreement also includes a clause that the hospital will not hold residents liable for any civil or criminal responsibility due to disruptions and damages in hospital care caused by residents' absence.

The sending of the resignation agreement is interpreted as a measure to minimize legal burdens for both the hospital and residents. Lee Jae-hee, Legal Director of the Korean Medical Association, explained, "There is no absolute need to exchange resignation agreements in the current situation," and "Legally speaking, it is a resignation agreement that can reduce legal burdens for both residents and hospitals."

However, residents at Seoul National University Hospital appear to be reluctant even to draft the agreement. According to the hospital on that day, only a small number of residents signed the resignation agreement. A resident who submitted a resignation letter to Seoul National University Hospital said, "There was a text message asking to contact if I wanted to resign as of February this year," and added, "There is no atmosphere of dissatisfaction with the content of the agreement itself or a hope that it would be written more favorably for residents."