S. Korea's ruling Democratic Party and Korean Medical Association agree to renegotiate medical reform plans
- 4 years ago
與•의협 '의대정원 확대•공공의대' 원점 재논의 최종합의
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.
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.