Do not go gentle into that good night, old age should burn and rave at close of day; Rage, rage against the dying of the light, though wise men at their end know dark is right, because their words had forked no lightning they, do not go gentle into that good night.
Gov’t to overhaul credential system for health workers seeking overseas jobs
Ministry of Health and Welfare headquarters at Government Complex Sejong / Yonhap
By Jhoo Dong-chan
The Ministry of Health and Welfare said Wednesday it will survey public opinion ahead of introducing a bill to revise related laws governing the issuance of official licenses and qualification certificates for health care workers working abroad.
The public comment period runs from March 26 to April 6.
The proposed change addresses a long-standing problem: Under the existing system, a Certificate of Good Standing (CGS) — the standard document foreign employers and licensing bodies use to verify a Korean health worker's credentials — could only be issued to practitioners with a completely clean slate.
This meant a doctor, nurse or other health care professional who received a past sanction, even one that had fully expired, could not obtain the certificate and was effectively blocked from working overseas.
The proposed revision aims to create a two-track system, the ministry said.
The CGS would continue to be issued to practitioners with no disciplinary history. A newly created document, the Certificate of Current Professional Status (CCPS), would be available to practitioners who have a prior disciplinary record but currently hold a valid, active license.
The CCPS would include both the disciplinary history and the current status of the license, giving overseas employers a fuller and more accurate picture.
The overhaul also aims to introduce procedural flexibility.
Under the current system, applicants who submit the wrong form must resubmit their paperwork. Under the proposed rules, officials would be authorized to review an applicant's record and issue the correct certificate on their own initiative, without requiring the applicant to start over.
The change would also allow the health ministry to accommodate various certificate formats required by foreign governments and public institutions, verifying the underlying facts and issuing documents in whatever form the receiving country requires.
The ministry said it will finalize the revision after collecting public feedback. Comments may be submitted to its General Services Division or through the Public Participation Legislation Center by April 6.