Korean Prime Minister: "Cannot Agree with Extreme Actions, Health Workers' Union Strike Warning"

Conducting Health and Medical Workforce Survey This October
Preparing Measures for Treatment Improvement... Efforts to Pass Nursing Act

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stated that he "cannot agree with extreme actions" in response to the nationwide strike announced by the Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union (KHMU) scheduled for the 29th.

On the morning of the 27th, Prime Minister Han held a 'Meeting of Relevant Ministers Regarding the KHMU Strike' at the Government Seoul Office, expressing, "It is very regrettable that the KHMU has decided to go on a general strike amid the increasing burden on medical sites due to the absence of resident doctors and the resurgence of COVID-19." He repeatedly voiced concern, saying, "If the union proceeds with the strike, the damage will directly affect the public and patients."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo attended the meeting of relevant ministers regarding the Health and Medical Workers' Union strike held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno, Seoul on the 27th, strongly urging the withdrawal of the strike. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Prime Minister Han pointed out that the government announced a comprehensive support plan for nursing staff in April last year and began improving nurses' working conditions, and that a pilot project for clinical support nurses is underway as part of medical reform. He emphasized, "The government is doing its best to ensure that healthcare workers, including nurses, can work in better environments." In particular, he stressed, "Efforts are being made to promptly enact the Nurse Act in the National Assembly," and added, "In October this year, a survey on healthcare personnel will be conducted, and through this, specific measures to improve the treatment of healthcare workers will be prepared."

Prime Minister Han said, "This is a critical time to complete medical reform, including increasing the number of doctors, and to normalize distorted essential and regional medical services." He urged, "I hope that problems will be resolved through dialogue and compromise rather than collective actions such as strikes, and that support will continue for the path to complete fundamental improvements in our healthcare system." He also repeatedly called for the withdrawal of the strike, asking, "Please consider the patients and families who are struggling due to the departure of resident doctors." Furthermore, he plans to provide detailed explanations to the public and healthcare workers this week regarding the first phase of medical reform implementation plans and financial investment plans.