This photo shows the office of the Korean Medical Association (KMA) in Seoul. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 12 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korean Medical Association (KMA), South Korea’s largest association of doctors, on Saturday announced plans for a general strike in response to the potential passage of the Nursing Act and the Medical Law revision during the plenary session of the National Assembly.
The Nursing Act expands nurses’ scope of work and improves their treatment, while the Medical Law amendment, also known as the “Doctor’s License Cancellation Act,” stipulates the revocation of a doctor’s license if they are sentenced to a prison term for committing a crime.
While the ruling People Power Party and the government proposed an arbitration plan and negotiations with the main opposition Democratic Party, the latter announced its intention to push forward with the revision of both laws on March 13.
The arbitration plan proposed by the ruling party and government aims to specify crimes resulting in the revocation of a doctor’s license as only “medical-related crimes, sex crimes, and violent crimes,” rather than “all crimes.”
Additionally, in the case of the Nursing Act’s enactment, its name would be changed to the Act on the Treatment of Nurses, with the content related to nurse work remaining in the existing Medical Law.
The Nursing Act’s enactment would allow not only medical institutions but also local communities to carry out nursing and medical assistance activities.
A bill was proposed in 2021 in response to the increasing demand for “care services outside hospitals” driven by a rapidly aging population.
The KMA argues that if the Nursing Act is enacted, nurses could be separated into separate occupational domains, leading to the collapse of the medical system.
However, many countries, including the United States, Britain, Germany and Japan, have enacted similar laws related to nursing.
The KMA, which represents about 130,000 doctors, has pointed out the poor working conditions and high retirement rates faced by nurses, arguing that a separate law is needed to define the working environment of nursing personnel.
A group of nurses stages a rally in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on April 10, 2023, to call for parliament to pass a bill designed to boost the welfare and rights of nurses, as medical organizations have protested against the possible passage of the bill, initiated by the main opposition Democratic Party. (Yonhap)
While both sides agree on the background of the Nursing Act, they have different thoughts on its impact.
The Nursing Association argues that nursing laws are essential to “cultivate excellent nursing personnel and improve the quality of nursing services to improve public health.”
Opposition groups fear that the Nursing Act will infringe on the interests of other occupations and destroy the healthcare system.
The Medical Law revision passed the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee in February 2021 to correct the unreasonable treatment of violent crimes such as sexual violence.
Other professions disqualify or suspend individuals for a certain period of time if they receive prison sentences.
The KMA has repeatedly threatened to close hospitals if policies that violate doctors’ interests, such as the division of medicine and the increase of doctors, are pursued.
When the “Doctor’s License Cancellation Act” passed the parliamentary committee in 2021, it even mentioned “suspension of cooperation in COVID-19 vaccination,” causing public outrage.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
