[Report] "What Are the Government and Doctors Doing?"... Hospitals' Business Districts Struggling Like Shrimp Backs

Decrease in Patient Numbers Hits Businesses Near Hospital
Merchants Say "Almost No Customers, Sales Halved"
Medical Community Opposes New Medical School Demand... Conflict Continues

"I'm really about to close the store soon. I can't endure the (resident doctors') strike right after COVID-19 ended."

At noon on the 13th, a large hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul was visited. Despite it being lunchtime, the stores inside and nearby shops appeared somewhat quiet. Mr. Lee (67), whom we met at the hospital food court that day, has been running a Korean restaurant in the hospital food court for 30 years and said it was the first time there were so few people. He added, "I thought it would recover after some time, but now I have no expectations," and "I don't know what the government and doctors are doing."

As the medical-government conflict triggered by resident doctors' opposition to the government's medical school quota increase in February continues for half a year, merchants near hospitals unanimously said they have now reached their limit. At pharmacies, restaurants, and medical device sales companies visited that day, complaints continued that the number of patients has decreased due to the ongoing standoff, causing significant damage.

A commercial area near a tertiary general hospital in Seoul. Pharmacies and restaurants are gathered, but it was difficult to find customers.
[Photo by Yeom Dayeon]

Mr. Lee (57), who works at a convenience store inside the hospital, confessed, "There are several cash registers, but for six months we've been able to operate only one because there are so few customers," and "It's somewhat better than the very early stage of the medical crisis, but sales are still halved." Mr. Jo (47), who works at a medical supplies store, said, "The economy itself is bad, and with the hospital situation like this, fewer people are visiting, so it's really tough."

The area near another tertiary general hospital in Seoul showed a similar scene. Restaurants and pharmacies were clustered in the shopping area directly opposite the hospital, but the flow of customers stopped, and the area lost its vitality. Although only one customer entered the pharmacy, four pharmacists greeted them. After watching for about 10 minutes, no more customers came in. Pharmacist Kang Minhye (32) explained, "There is no sign of sales recovery," and "I understand the surrounding situation is similar."

Mr. Choi Byungsoo (65), who has sold medical devices nearby for 20 years, said, "Since no one is coming to the hospital, almost no one passes by, so sales are terrible," and "I thought things would get better after COVID-19, but a more severe crisis has come, which is frustrating."

As the prolonged legislative conflict causes many hospitals to face financial difficulties, pharmacies and small business owners in the commercial areas around hospitals are also struggling. A closure notice is posted in front of a restaurant on a street near Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where pharmacies and restaurants are located. The owner said that this restaurant, which had been in business for 41 years, is closing due to the recession caused by the current situation. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

The medical community had also warned about this situation in advance. In April, the Korean Medical Association's 'Emergency Countermeasures Committee to Stop Medical School Quota Increase' stated in a briefing, "If the current situation continues longer, many university hospitals will face restructuring and bankruptcy risks due to management pressure," and expressed concerns that "the medical device and pharmaceutical industries will also face serious problems, and the damage to commercial districts around hospitals will become severe."

In fact, after the medical-government conflict, major university hospitals in Seoul, including Seoul National University Hospital, Severance Hospital, and Asan Medical Center, faced operational limits and entered emergency management early. This ultimately became a burden that nearby commercial districts had to bear as well.

Amid prolonged legislative conflicts causing many hospitals to face financial difficulties, pharmacies and small business owners in the commercial areas around hospitals are also struggling. On the morning of the 14th, the street near Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, where pharmacies and restaurants are located, was quiet. Photo by Heo Younghan younghan@

Nevertheless, the medical-government conflict is expected to continue for the time being. Recently, demands for establishing new medical schools have been rising, mainly from political circles and local governments. Regarding this, the medical community has clearly opposed, saying it "will deepen the conflict."

A representative from the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business said, "There have been complaints about serious sales declines in hospital restaurants and other places after the resident doctors' departure," and "If more voices gather, we plan to express our position or initiate public discussion."