Doctors ordered to go back to work amid soaring infections

A doctor holds a sign during a protest against the government's medical workforce reform plans, including one to increase admission quotas at medical schools, in front of Seoul National University Hospital in Seoul, Wednesday. / Yonhap

Daily new virus cases bounce back to over 300

By Jun Ji-hye

The government ordered doctors, especially those in the Seoul metropolitan area, to return to work, Wednesday, as tens of thousands of doctors across the country pushed ahead with their three-day strike in protest against the government's decision to increase admission quotas at medical schools.

Government officials said doctors who do not comply with the order could have their licenses revoked and even face criminal charges. This is raising tension between a doctors' association and the government amid growing fears over of a new wave of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The doctors including interns and resident doctors at general hospitals and practitioners at local clinics have proceeded with their second collective action, as the Korea Medical Association (KMA) and the government failed to narrow differences during their negotiations that continued until early Wednesday morning.

The latest walkout came after doctors staged their first nationwide strike, Aug. 14.

The medical sector has opposed the government's plans to increase admission quotas at medical schools, establish a new public medical school, extend national health insurance coverage to traditional herbal medicine and introduce remote medical services.

Health and Welfare Minister Park Neung-hoo said in a media briefing, “At 8 a.m., the government ordered trainee doctors and fellows working at training hospitals in Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon to return to work immediately.”

The minister said the government will carry out on-the-spot inspections, beginning with intensive care units and emergency rooms, to see whether the doctors are working.

He added the government's return-to-work order will be expanded nationwide.

Under the standing law, doctors who do not follow the government's order could have their licenses suspended or revoked, and face imprisonment of up to three years or fines up to 30 million won ($25,000).

The government has also decided to file a complaint with the Fair Trade Commission against the KMA for alleged violation of the Fair Trade Act that bans any association from unfairly restricting business activities of its members.

The health ministry said the KMA may have violated that law when directing its members to suspend medical services and participate in the walkout.

If the antitrust watchdog concludes that the KMA violated the law, the association could be fined up to 500 million won.

The walkout has already brought disruptions to medical services at a time when the nation is struggling to cope with an ongoing resurgence of COVID-19 cases, with the country's major general hospitals having reduced clinic hours and postponed some surgeries.

The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 320 additional coronavirus cases for Tuesday, including 307 locally transmitted infections, with the total caseload raised to 18,265.

The number of daily new coronavirus cases spiked to over 300 again after the figure had fallen slightly to 266 cases and 280 cases on Sunday and Monday.

Minister Park said the government would come up with emergency countermeasures, especially for essential services such as intensive care units and surgery, in preparation for the prolonged walkout.

President Moon Jae-in also called on government officials to act strongly against the doctors' strike by “pursuing judiciary proceedings in accordance with principles,” according to a presidential spokesman.

The President also stressed the need for continued communication with the doctors' association to resolve the conflict.