Korean Medical Association Announces Collective Strike Over Government's Medical School Quota Hike

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) announced a collective strike on March 10, in protest against the government's push for medical school enrollment expansion and other healthcare policies. The KMA held a national representatives' assembly for doctors on the afternoon of March 10 in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. A total of 32 organizations participated, including medical associations from 16 cities and provinces, 7 metropolitan cities, and 9 hospital-based associations.

The KMA declared the government's announcement to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 students and the promotion of the essential healthcare policy package as a serious threat that shakes the foundation of South Korea's healthcare system. They criticized the government for unilaterally pushing forward policies without sufficient communication with the medical community and proclaimed they would launch a strong campaign, including a collective strike.

The KMA will proceed with a process to gather opinions from its members regarding the timing and specific implementation plans for the collective strike.