The medical community in South Korea is experiencing heightened tensions due to the state of emergency declared by President Yoon Suk-yeol, which has brought about a new phase in healthcare reform, including the expansion of medical schools. There is growing demand for the president to resign, and medical professionals, including resident doctors and professors, are holding demonstrations in various locations to protest the situation.
One of the controversial aspects of the proclamation made during the emergency was Article 5, which required all medical personnel, including resident doctors, who were on strike or had left their posts, to return to work within 48 hours under threat of punishment according to martial law. This specific mention of a professional group in the decree has sparked significant backlash within the medical community.
Although the state of emergency was lifted after about six hours and President Yoon apologized, dissatisfaction persists. The medical community is criticizing the government’s move to push forward with increasing medical school admissions without regard to their consistent opposition, and they are calling for a halt to next year’s admissions.
In response, resident doctors and medical school professors are organizing protests to voice their opposition to the declared state of emergency and the government’s approach to expanding medical school admissions. The Resident Doctors Emergency Task Force at Seoul National University Hospital is holding a demonstration titled “Young Doctors’ Protest Against Medical Martial Law” at Marronnier Park in Hyehwa-dong, Seoul, expressing their disapproval of what they deem an oppressive takeover of medical education and calling for the protection of their rights and freedoms.
Additionally, the Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors is hosting a nationwide protest, urging for President Yoon’s resignation and advocating a return to pre-candidacy conditions. They have expressed deep concern that forcible increases in medical school enrollment could lead to a deterioration in medical education quality.
Despite ongoing protests, the government maintains its stance on healthcare reform. Health and Welfare Minister Cho Kyu-hong has acknowledged responsibility but intends to proceed with reforms. The Ministry of Education also states that it is difficult to halt or adjust admissions processes in progress.
The environment is increasingly confrontational, with little prospect for resolution through dialogue. The Korean Hospital Association has withdrawn from participating in the government’s healthcare reform special committee in protest over language used in the proclamation, indicating challenges for ongoing reform efforts as well.