On Friday, South Korean police conducted a series of raids on the offices of the Korean Medical Association (KMA). The action comes in the midst of persistent strikes by junior doctors in Seoul, strikes which have faced considerable opposition from the government.
The raids which occurred in both Seoul and the Gangwon Province were in response to the junior doctor walkouts. KMA officials, who lead a trade union for doctors in the country, are suspected of violating medical laws due to the strikes.
World Medical Association (WMA) head, Dr. Lujain Al-Qodman, denounced the “police aggression” labeling it as “unacceptable”, and described the current situation in South Korea as “concerning”. In an official statement, the WMA expressed their support for the strikes orchestrated by the KMA and reiterated their commitment in defending the integrity of the KMA and rights of its physicians. The statement went on to criticize the government’s unilateral decision to drastically increase medical student admissions, a decision which they claimed was devoid of clear evidence and resulted in a turmoil within the medical community.
Dr. Al-Qodman urged the Korean government to rethink their action and halt the forceful measures levied on the medical community. She advocated for a resolution that is respectful of the rights of doctors and ensures the wellbeing of medical professionals and their patients.
Sparked by the government’s intent to raise the annual intake of medical students, last week saw almost 10,000 junior doctors participate in strike action. In an attempt to control the situation, the government set a deadline for the protestors to resume their work. However, this call seems to be largely disregarded with only 4.3% of the striking doctors returning to work.
In response to the continuous walkout, the South Korean government has planned to implement administrative measures, such as revoking the medical licenses of individuals who refuse to return to work.