Uige Special Committee, "Regret Hospital Association's Withdrawal... Will Communicate with Medical Community"

The Presidential Commission on Medical Reform (Uigae Special Committee) expressed on the 5th that it is "very regretful" about the Korea Hospital Association's decision to suspend participation in the Uigae Special Committee.

Chairman Noh Yeon-hong of the Special Committee on Medical Reform is deep in thought ahead of announcing the main outcomes of the 4th Medical Reform Special Committee meeting on June 20 at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

No Yeonhong, chairman of the Uigae Special Committee, released a statement on the same day saying, "We are very regretful about the Korea Hospital Association's announcement today to suspend participation in the Uigae Special Committee."

He added, "Reviving regional and essential medical services is a necessary task to protect the lives and health of the people, so we will prepare reform measures while communicating with the medical community in various ways."

Chairman No also expressed gratitude to the committee members who are actively participating in the discussions, including those from the medical sector, and emphasized, "Future discussions of the special committee will be carried out with full consideration of opinions from all sectors."

Earlier, the Hospital Association decided to suspend participation in the special committee, citing concerns over the proclamation issued immediately after President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law, which included the clause that "all medical personnel, including residents who are on strike or have left medical sites, must return to their duties within 48 hours and work diligently, and violations will be punished under the Martial Law Act."

In its statement, the Hospital Association expressed "deep regret over the government's distorted perspective and violent behavior revealed through this incident," and announced that it will suspend participation in the Uigae Special Committee "until medical personnel and medical institutions are respected and rational discussions become possible."