전공의들 파업 시작... 정부 파업 취소시 정책 유보, 의협에선 거부
Thousands of trainee doctors went ahead with their walkout today after failing to come to terms with the government and its healthcare reform plans.
South Korean government offered to reserve its plans for the healthcare reform, but the association in charge said only when the plans are cancelled, the strikes will be called off.
Our Kim Do-yeon reports.
Starting 7 AM on Friday, interns and residents went on strike in response to the government's proposed healthcare reform plans.
This latest strike is set to last even longer than the previous two, despite the government pleading for them to be stopped.
"If the associations end the strikes, the government is open to all possibilities and will discuss them sincerely. The government has also said the new policies will be put on hold while negotiations are ongoing."
However, the Korea Medical Association has rejected the offer and says they will only end the strikes when the government scraps its reform plans altogether.
For this current strike... interns, residents in emergency medicine, and fourth year residents went on strike from Friday.
Third year residents will join on Saturday, with first and second year residents joining on Sunday.
The strike will go on indefinitely.
"We're not at a stage to even speak of agreeing or disagreeing but at a point where if they want to create a policy regarding the medical system, doctors should be able to discuss it with them."
Approximately a quarter to a third of doctors at large university hospitals are interns and residents. Major hospitals run by universities will experience delays as these doctors play a notable role in the running of large medical facilities.
The two sides met earlier this week to try to come to an agreement, but the doctors want to start from the beginning while the government remains adamant about its reforms.
The doctors oppose four key aspects expanding the medical student quota, the establishment of public medical schools, the coverage of Korean traditional medicine by insurance, and the increase in online, non-contact medical services.
In addition to the residents' strike, more than 90 percent of medical students up for the license exam have canceled their registration in protest... the Korean Medical Association is also looking to hold a strike on August 26th.
Kim Do-yeon, Arirang News
