Seoul - In a significant escalation of its response to ongoing medical protests, the South Korean government has initiated legal action against doctors opposing its medical education reform plan. The Ministry of Health and Welfare filed a police complaint against five doctors associated with the Korea Medical Association, the nation's largest doctors' lobby group, for allegedly violating medical law and obstructing justice. This marks the government's first legal move against the backdrop of a mass walkout by approximately 9,000 interns and residents that commenced eight days ago.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the protests have significantly disrupted South Korea's healthcare system, prompting the government to adopt stringent legal and administrative measures. Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong has set a back-to-work deadline for this Thursday, warning that failure to comply could result in legal penalties, including the suspension of medical licenses. Cho emphasized the government's intention to uphold the law against illegal collective action, urging trainee doctors to return to their duties to avoid accountability for their walkout.
The government's stance comes as the medical community protests plans to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 slots, aiming to address doctor shortages in rural areas and specialized fields. However, the protesting doctors argue for improved protection from malpractice suits and better compensation, rather than an increase in the number of medical students, as solutions to these issues.
To mitigate the impact on medical services, the health ministry has authorized nurses to assume broader medical roles under legal protection. The ministry also plans to conduct inspections at 50 hospitals by week's end to investigate the extent of work stoppages among trainee doctors. Meanwhile, the widespread protests have led to a noticeable decline in patient admissions and surgical operations at general hospitals.
Adding to the gravity of the situation, more than 13,000 medical students nationwide have filed for leaves of absence in protest against the government's quota increase plan, with additional boycotts occurring at six medical schools. The protests have raised concerns about a healthcare service crisis, underscored by incidents of patient harm, including the death of an elderly woman from cardiac arrest after failing to receive timely medical treatment.
In light of these developments, the government is also investigating a case in Daejeon where an elderly patient died after an extensive search for an available emergency room, highlighting the critical gaps in healthcare provision amid the ongoing protests.
Seoul - The South Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare escalated its response to ongoing protests by doctors against a plan to increase medical student admissions, filing a police complaint against five doctors associated with the Korea Medical Association (KMA). This move marks the government's initial legal action in response to a mass walkout that commenced a week ago, involving thousands of interns and residents.According to Yonhap News Agency, the complaint targets doctors for allegedly violating a medical law and obstructing justice. The government's legal step comes as part of broader efforts to address the disruption caused by the walkout, which has significantly impacted the country's medical system. The protests stem from opposition to the government's proposal to boost the medical school enrollment quota by 2,000, a plan aimed at addressing a perceived shortage of medical professionals.
In an attempt to mitigate the situation, the government has issued a back-to-work ultimatum for this Thursday, warning protesting doctors of potential legal consequences, including the possibility of having their medical licenses suspended. This deadline underscores the government's commitment to taking decisive actions to resolve the impasse and restore normalcy to the healthcare system.
Seoul - Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong issued a stern warning on Tuesday to thousands of trainee doctors on strike, stating that failure to return to work by the Thursday deadline would result in legal penalties, including the suspension of their licenses. The strike, now in its eighth day, is a protest against the government's proposal to increase the medical school admission quota by 2,000 seats next year, aiming to address a doctor shortage.According to Yonhap News Agency, the government is prepared to take legal action against the striking doctors, emphasizing adherence to laws governing illegal collective actions. Cho announced that the ministry would initiate license suspensions and legal proceedings in March for those who do not comply. Additionally, an on-site inspection of 50 hospitals is planned by the end of the week to assess the impact of the work stoppages.
Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo also highlighted the possibility of legally preventing trainee doctors from resigning, suggesting that regulations could be enforced to protect the common interest and maintain social order. This comes after a legal review confirmed that such measures would be consistent with the current medical system. In response to the service disruptions caused by the strike, the ministry has permitted nurses to assume broader medical roles under legal protection.
The strike has led to a significant reduction in new patient admissions and surgeries at general hospitals, raising concerns about a healthcare crisis. This situation was underscored by the death of an elderly woman from cardiac arrest, who could not receive timely medical attention. While the government's initiative aims to mitigate doctor shortages in rural areas and specialized fields, striking doctors argue for improved protection from malpractice suits and enhanced compensation as more effective solutions.