South Korea to start legal action against doctors over walkout

[Jman888]

dun really know the detail, but to hold protest for weeks and disregard patients need seem very wrong.

South Korea to start legal action against doctors over walkout

UPDATED MAR 04, 2024, 11:55 AM

Doctors chant slogans during a rally to protest against government plans to increase medical school admissions, in Seoul on March 3. PHOTO: REUTERS

 

SEOUL - South Korea’s Health Minister said on March 4 that the authorities will start inspecting hospitals in order to take legal action against trainee doctors who have ignored an ultimatum to end a walkout over government plans to increase medical school admissions.

Around 9,000 resident and intern doctors, or about 70 per cent of the country's total, have walked off the job since Feb 20, leading to the cancellation of some surgical procedures and treatments, and straining emergency departments.

The government had warned the protesting trainee physicians that they could face administrative and legal penalties, including the suspension of their medical licences and fines, or a jail term if they did not return to work by the end of February.

“From today, we plan to conduct on-site inspections to confirm trainee doctors who have not returned, and take action according to the law and principle without exception,” Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong told a televised briefing.

“Please keep in mind that doctors who have not returned may experience serious problems in their personal career path.”

For protesting doctors who returned to the field, Mr Choo said the government would consider extenuating circumstances when contemplating any action against them.

Later, Vice-Health Minister Park Min-soo told a briefing that the government would take steps to suspend the medical licences of some 7,000 trainee doctors who had left their jobs.

Up to now, there has been little sign of either side backing down. Thousands of South Korean doctors held a mass rally on March 3 organised by the Korean Medical Association, which represents private practitioners, defying official calls for the trainee physicians to return to work.

The World Medical Association, a group representing physicians, said in a statement on March 3 that it “strongly condemns the actions of the Korean government in attempting to stifle the voices of elected leaders within the Korean Medical Association”, adding that it affirmed the right of doctors to collective action, including strikes.

The young doctors who are protesting say the government should first address pay and working conditions before trying to increase the number of physicians.

The government says the plan to increase the number of students admitted to medical schools by 2,000 starting in the 2025 academic year is needed in a rapidly ageing society with one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios in developed economies – at 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people.

The plan to boost medical school admissions is popular with the public, with about 76 per cent of respondents in favour, regardless of political affiliation, a recent Gallup Korea poll found.

Some critics, however, accuse President Yoon Suk-yeol's government of not consulting enough and of picking a fight over the issue ahead of parliamentary elections in April. REUTERS

[Volvobrick]

More doctors will lead to less overtime and better working conditions right?  The junior doctors should be happy.

 

Oh wait - also lower pay since more competition!

 

[inlinesix]

On 3/4/2024 at 1:51 PM, Volvobrick said:

More doctors will lead to less overtime and better working conditions right?  The junior doctors should be happy.

Oh wait - also lower pay since more competition!

https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-doctors-walkouts-patients-explained-326632dd061fc3b004b663cc761f9016

"The striking doctors-in-training say schools can’t handle an abruptly increased number of medical students. They predict doctors in greater competition would perform overtreatment — increasing public medical expenses — and, like current medical students, most of the additionally recruited medical students would also likely try to work in high-paying, popular professions like plastic surgery and dermatology. That means the country’s long-running shortage of physicians in essential yet low-paying areas like pediatrics, obstetrics and emergency departments would remain unchanged."

[inlinesix]

 

[Beehive3783]

On 3/4/2024 at 1:30 PM, Jman888 said:

dun really know the detail, but to hold protest for weeks and disregard patients need seem very wrong.

South Korea to start legal action against doctors over walkout

UPDATED MAR 04, 2024, 11:55 AM

Doctors chant slogans during a rally to protest against government plans to increase medical school admissions, in Seoul on March 3. PHOTO: REUTERS

 

SEOUL - South Korea’s Health Minister said on March 4 that the authorities will start inspecting hospitals in order to take legal action against trainee doctors who have ignored an ultimatum to end a walkout over government plans to increase medical school admissions.

Around 9,000 resident and intern doctors, or about 70 per cent of the country's total, have walked off the job since Feb 20, leading to the cancellation of some surgical procedures and treatments, and straining emergency departments.

The government had warned the protesting trainee physicians that they could face administrative and legal penalties, including the suspension of their medical licences and fines, or a jail term if they did not return to work by the end of February.

“From today, we plan to conduct on-site inspections to confirm trainee doctors who have not returned, and take action according to the law and principle without exception,” Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong told a televised briefing.

“Please keep in mind that doctors who have not returned may experience serious problems in their personal career path.”

For protesting doctors who returned to the field, Mr Choo said the government would consider extenuating circumstances when contemplating any action against them.

Later, Vice-Health Minister Park Min-soo told a briefing that the government would take steps to suspend the medical licences of some 7,000 trainee doctors who had left their jobs.

Up to now, there has been little sign of either side backing down. Thousands of South Korean doctors held a mass rally on March 3 organised by the Korean Medical Association, which represents private practitioners, defying official calls for the trainee physicians to return to work.

The World Medical Association, a group representing physicians, said in a statement on March 3 that it “strongly condemns the actions of the Korean government in attempting to stifle the voices of elected leaders within the Korean Medical Association”, adding that it affirmed the right of doctors to collective action, including strikes.

The young doctors who are protesting say the government should first address pay and working conditions before trying to increase the number of physicians.

 

The government says the plan to increase the number of students admitted to medical schools by 2,000 starting in the 2025 academic year is needed in a rapidly ageing society with one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios in developed economies – at 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people.

The plan to boost medical school admissions is popular with the public, with about 76 per cent of respondents in favour, regardless of political affiliation, a recent Gallup Korea poll found.

Some critics, however, accuse President Yoon Suk-yeol's government of not consulting enough and of picking a fight over the issue ahead of parliamentary elections in April. REUTERS

These doctors are just being "doctors" for the money. No real calling. Otherwise how can they walk off on strike and not give a damn about their patients?

S Korea should just revoke all their practicising licenses and bring in doctors from India  

[ToyotaShuttle]

wow, don't wanna work also illegal.

slavery?

[Beehive3783]

On 3/4/2024 at 2:32 PM, ToyotaShuttle said:

wow, don't wanna work also illegal.

slavery?

You try AWOL from work for almost 2 weeks, see if you get sacked or not?  

[Volvobrick]

On 3/4/2024 at 2:32 PM, ToyotaShuttle said:

wow, don't wanna work also illegal.

slavery?

In Singapore as well. Some essential jobs like bus drivers cannot suka suka strike.

[Beregond]

On 3/4/2024 at 2:32 PM, ToyotaShuttle said:

wow, don't wanna work also illegal.

slavery?

Different leh.

U dun want work . U can quit, apply leave etc etc. But u cannot suka  suka  without valid reason stop going to work for long period right? 

[Mkl22]

On 3/4/2024 at 1:51 PM, Volvobrick said:

More doctors will lead to less overtime and better working conditions right?  The junior doctors should be happy.

 

Oh wait - also lower pay since more competition!

 

i think their pay already very low for junior doctors.

[Jamesc]

Botox so profitable why don't do?

Who wants to help sick people?

Its the new Hypocrite's oath!

[PSP415]

So easy to become doctors in SK? 

Someone is stirring sxxx. Think all striking doctors can be transported over to NK. Oops. Wait. Nuclear weapons will be so professionally disguised that no one will recognise. 

Nurses paid better and in demand? Doctors can demote themselves and become nurses instead. Alot of countries welcome nurses too. Can migrate. 

Haiz. It does not sit well with me that all striking doctors got not a single sick loved one or elderly people in family. Everyone perfect health and no need doctors at all. 

Noble calling? Hippos. Who cares about the sick and maybe dying patients in hospitals. Accidents better be mild and does not need hospital. Better if dead so no need treatment. 

Cosmetic surgery is a way of life there. Iirc, most will start starving, I mean saving to get a face re-arrangement asap. For a face so common that only their offsprings can show more character. 😅

Hope common sense and light can reach their brain cells. Or mandatory brain surgery to allow sunlight to enter. 

Dun put innocent lives on the line like bargaining chips. Otherwise nurses will rise up to do away with doctors. Oops. 

Yada-ing. Stay safe and dun abuse your calling ya. 😅😂

I no kah pager. 

Cheers 

[ToyotaShuttle]

On 3/4/2024 at 3:13 PM, Beregond said:

Different leh.

U dun want work . U can quit, apply leave etc etc. But u cannot suka  suka  without valid reason stop going to work for long period right? 

then sack them lor.

If i disappear from work, my boss can sack me right?

[Kxbc]

On 3/4/2024 at 3:16 PM, Mkl22 said:

i think their pay already very low for junior doctors.

In a ST article last week, a junior doctor said his pay is between $2k to $4k (i think sgd) per month, working 100 hours per week or something like that. Inclusive of OT pay. 

"Dr Ryu said he worked for more than 100 hours a week at one of the country’s most prestigious university hospitals for two million won (S$2,000) to four million won a month, including overtime pay. A first-year US resident averages about US$5,000 (S$6,700) a month, according to American Medical Association data." https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/overworked-and-unheard-south-korean-doctors-on-mass-walkout-say

Cost of living in Korea especially Seoul, is not exactly cheap. 

Edited March 4 by Kxbc

[inlinesix]

Before start calling them selfish, watch the video i posted.

Department that requires resources don't get it.

By having more Doctor, it will mean more Plastic surgeons.

[Mkl22]

On 3/4/2024 at 4:40 PM, Kxbc said:

In a ST article last week, a junior doctor said his pay is between $2k to $4k (i think sgd) per month, working 100 hours per week or something like that. Inclusive of OT pay. 

"Dr Ryu said he worked for more than 100 hours a week at one of the country’s most prestigious university hospitals for two million won (S$2,000) to four million won a month, including overtime pay. A first-year US resident averages about US$5,000 (S$6,700) a month, according to American Medical Association data." https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/overworked-and-unheard-south-korean-doctors-on-mass-walkout-say

Cost of living in Korea especially Seoul, is not exactly cheap. 

ya exactly. i also do not know what the medical school fees are like. so if have to repay loans, then really die....

[Jman888]

On 3/4/2024 at 4:40 PM, Kxbc said:

In a ST article last week, a junior doctor said his pay is between $2k to $4k (i think sgd) per month, working 100 hours per week or something like that. Inclusive of OT pay. 

"Dr Ryu said he worked for more than 100 hours a week at one of the country’s most prestigious university hospitals for two million won (S$2,000) to four million won a month, including overtime pay. A first-year US resident averages about US$5,000 (S$6,700) a month, according to American Medical Association data." https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/overworked-and-unheard-south-korean-doctors-on-mass-walkout-say

Cost of living in Korea especially Seoul, is not exactly cheap. 

if OT until so charm then hire more to reduce the workload no good? i doubt the hospital will cut pay.

[inlinesix]

On 3/4/2024 at 5:01 PM, Jman888 said:

if OT until so charm then hire more to reduce the workload no good? i doubt the hospital will cut pay.

Hospital will hire more in department that make $$$

A&E will not get more Doctor.