Medical shutdown: Deepening crisis

무기한 휴진 확산일로, 파장과 법적 대응 가능성은?

Hello and welcome to Within the Frame. I'm Han Da-eun in Seoul.
Korea’s medical standoff is four months in and the clash between the government and doctors is only intensifying.
Professors at large hospitals affiliated with Seoul National University began their indefinite leave of absence today in protest against what they call the government's unilateral decision to expand medical school student quotas.
The Korean Medical Association, the largest doctors’ group, also warned of a general strike, if their key demands are not met.
This, while more doctors voiced opposition to the doctors’ growing collective actions saying nothing should come before a patient's life.
On today’s Within the Frame we zoom in on the key points of contention, the growing divide within the medical community, and what to expect ahead amid the worsening medical standoff.
For that, Dr. Alice Tan, an Internist at MizMedi Women's Hospital joins us via skype.
For a legal perspective on the intense government-doctor clash, attorney An Jun-seong also joins us virtually.


(TAN) Q1. Professors at Seoul National University Hospital began their indefinite leave of absence today. Why are they forging ahead with it despite growing criticism from patients and the public, and does the absence mean a complete suspension of all outpatient treatments and surgeries?

(TAN) Q2. The Korea Medical Association, the largest doctors’ group, is also expected to launch a strike tomorrow, in support of trainee doctors who have been on strike since February. Is Korea headed toward a nationwide medical shutdown, and how are you processing all of this?

(AN) Q3. One of the key contentious points driving doctors and the government further apart is administrative action against striking trainee doctors, like license suspension. The government has offered to "withdraw" actions for those who return to hospitals, while doctors are demanding a complete "cancellation." What’s the difference?

(TAN) Q4. Meanwhile, more doctors, including those specializing in epilepsy and obstetrics, as well as doctors at children’s hospitals, have decided not to join the planned strike saying they would not place patients in peril. How do you interpret the growing divide among doctors themselves?

(AN) Q5. The government plans to issue a return-to-work order if the closure rate of hospitals and local clinics exceeds 30% per city and county. It says this is based on Article 59 of the Medical Service Act. Tell us more about the law, and how effective would it be in preventing a nationwide medical shutdown.

(AN) Q6. The government is also mulling license suspensions as well as license revocations, should doctors at local clinics push ahead with shutdowns and strikes. How do you see the chances of that actually happening?

(TAN) Q7. The Korea Medical Association has been at the forefront of the medical standoff, primarily representing the doctors' interests, though not exclusively. They have issued three major demands, warning of an all-out strike tomorrow if these demands are not met. How do you assess the likelihood of the KMA and the government reaching a compromise?

(AN) Q8. The government will also look into possible violations of fair trade laws against the KMA, for allegedly encouraging community doctors to stage a strike. Tell us more about this, and what would be the focal points of the legal battle on this front?

(TAN) Q9. There is no breakthrough in sight, but we have to ask you this for the sake of all frustrated and desperate patients. What are some pragmatic ways to find a negotiating point that will bring doctors and the government to the table? What concessions are needed at this point?


And that brings us to the end of this show.
Thank you for watching, and be sure to tune in same time tomorrow to join our conversation.
Good bye for now.

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2024-06-17, 18:30 (KST)