The government and resigning residents agreed on part of the return plan. The residents wanted to return to the hospitals they had worked at and their medical departments, but the government effectively allowed this, saying it would be left to the discretion of the hospitals. If the residents return next month, it is expected that the medical conflict will be resolved.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA) agreed on this at a meeting of the third training committee held at a restaurant in Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 7th. The government plans to announce recruitment notices for residents for the second half of the year soon.
Kim Guk-il, Director General of Health Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "In cases where residents return to the same hospital, department, and year, the recruitment of residents will be determined at the discretion of the training hospital, and if there are excess openings, the Minister will recognize them." He also noted, "I believe the government has taken the maximum measures it can take."
Residents undergo 4 to 5 years of training in hospitals after obtaining a medical license upon graduating from university to become specialists. The conflict with the medical community arose over an increase in medical school enrollments, leading many residents to resign from their training hospitals.
Some resigning residents are working in private clinics as general practitioners. They may remain general practitioners or return to training hospitals to attempt to become specialists again. Some residents have also enlisted in the military. There were opinions among enlisted residents requesting eligibility to apply for the upcoming recruitment in the second half of the year, but the government has stated that this is not easy for those already in military service.
However, the policy is to support those residents who have not yet enlisted by granting deferrals. Director General Kim said, "If resigning residents return to training in the second half of the year, we plan to consult with related departments to ensure they enlist after completing as much training as possible."
If there is a significant postponement of enlistment by residents, issues may arise due to a reduced number of military personnel. The Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to guarantee their return to training after military discharge if the enlistment of residents becomes inevitable.
Residents argued that the essential medical package policy, which prohibits mixed billing of salary and non-salary services, should also be reconsidered. They stated that non-salary services are a major source of revenue for private clinics, so mixed billing should be allowed. They also requested a reduction in the legal burden in case of unintended medical accidents.
Director General Kim stated, "The reconsideration of the essential medical package policy will be discussed at the Innovation Committee with public participation," adding, "We will create opportunities for residents to express their opinions and engage in discussions." He also noted, "We will continue to discuss mitigating legal risks related to medical accidents." Neither side discussed additional specialist exams that day.