Thousands of doctors in South Korea are set
to return to work... with the ruling Democratic
Party and the Korean Medical Association finally
reaching an agreement over medical reform
plans.
This comes after weeks of strikes by trainee
doctors.
Lee Kyung-eun has the latest.
The South Korean government's medical reform
plans will be temporarily put on hold,…
and thousands of doctors are set to return
to work.
Those plans, the core of which were increasing
medical school admission quotas and building
public medical schools, had prompted thousands
of doctors to stage a walkout since August
21st.
Putting an end to the two-week-long protest...
the ruling Democratic Party's policy committee
chief Han Jeong-ae, and the head of the Korean
Medical Association Choi Dae-zip met on Friday
morning and agreed on three major points.
First up, the party promised to put on hold
its push for the medical reform plans, and
resume discussions once the COVID-19 situation
stabilizes in the country.
A joint organization will also be in charge
of the process.
Also, the party agreed to enhance the competitiveness
and quality of public health and medical institutions.
Lastly, the party will help improve the working
conditions of trainee doctors based on a specific
request from the Korean Intern Resident Association.
The agreement does not say that the party
will "scrap" the plan entirely, but it practically
implies that the negotiations would restart
with a clean slate later.
The head of the KMA made similar remarks.
Also at the signing event was the ruling Democratic
Party's new leader, Lee Nak-yon.
Lee said the agreement could ease concerns
over the Medical Licensing Exam, which has
been delayed due to mass cancellations by
protesting medical students.
The KMA is set to sign a separate pact with
the government, after which they will officially
announce their return to work.
Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.
