On March 3, 2024, South Korean Prime Minister Han Deok-so issued a firm response to the situation of the medical reform policy of the South Korean doctors' rally. He said that he would not succumb to the collective resignation and resignation of the people as hostages. Han Deok-so stressed that if a doctor leaves the medical site illegally, he will fulfill his obligation to protect the lives of the people. In addition, a special committee on health care reform will be launched from this week to prepare for the advancement of health care reform.
The doctors' rally was due to dissatisfaction with the medical reform policy launched by South Korea, especially the policy of expanding the enrollment of medical students. According to reports, the Emergency Countermeasures Committee of the Korean Medical Association (hereinafter referred to as the "Medical Association") held a national mobilization meeting of doctors in Seoul to oppose the first-class medical reform policies such as the expansion of medical school enrollment, and predicted that it would continue to fight with a tough attitude. On the same day, the Medical Association held a general mobilization meeting of doctors near Yeoui-daero in Seoul, and the rally was attended by a large number of participants, and the rally procession stretched from the south side of the Mapo Bridge to the bridge. The rally held signs with slogans against the expansion of medical students and chanted slogans to boycott the health care reform plan.
South Korea's Minister of Health and Welfare, Cho Gyu-hong, previously reported that among South Korea's 100 large general hospitals, a large number of doctors have left their posts due to dissatisfaction with the health care reform policy. As of February 29, 2024, a total of 8,945 interns and residents have left these hospitals, accounting for 718%。
In general, the medical reform policy of the South Korean doctors' assembly reflects the strong dissatisfaction of the medical community with the policy, while the South Korean government said that it will launch a special committee to promote medical reform and firmly safeguard the safety of people's lives. The controversy has revealed the contradictions and challenges that exist in South Korea's healthcare system, as well as the complex situation faced in carrying out healthcare reform.