Gov’t Expresses Regret over SNU, SNUH Professors’ Decision to Halt Duties from June 17

The government expressed regret over a decision by medical professors at Seoul National University(SNU) and hospitals to launch an indefinite suspension of all medical services amid a prolonged medical vacuum due to trainee doctors’ collective action in protest of the school admissions quota hike.

The health ministry said on Friday that it deeply regrets and is concerned about the decision to begin suspension on June 17 by the emergency committee of the SNU and SNUH professors, despite increasing public and patient suffering from the vacuum.

Emphasizing that it believes that the professors will stand by their patients, the ministry urged them to join efforts in supporting trainee doctors who wish to return to work.

It also pledged to proceed with a previously announced plan for the trainee doctors’ return, while seeking all measures to protect public lives and health.

On Thursday, the SNU and SNUH professors’ committee pressured the government to completely withdraw its return-to-work order for the trainee doctors, warning that otherwise they too would halt duties from June 17, with the exception of emergency rooms and intensive care units.