Emergency physicians are increasingly looking abroad for better working conditions and professional opportunities. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Sept. 2 (Korea Bizwire) — With a protracted dispute between the medical community and the government continuing to strain South Korea’s healthcare system, emergency physicians are increasingly looking abroad for better working conditions and professional opportunities.
At a recent academic conference held by the Korean Emergency Physicians Association (KEPA) in Seoul, sessions on practicing medicine in Canada and the United States drew significant attention from attendees.
The event, which took place on August 30 at the Baekbeom Kim Koo Memorial Hall, featured speakers who had transitioned from South Korea’s top hospitals to medical institutions in North America.
Lee Hyung-min, president of the KEPA, explained the rationale behind including these sessions: “We organized these talks for young doctors who feel that practicing emergency medicine in Korea has lost its meaning due to unfair treatment.”
He added, “Emergency physicians are in high demand worldwide, and there’s widespread surprise abroad at how poor the working conditions are in Korea.”
The conference, which saw about 400 pre-registrations from emergency medicine residents and specialists, including those who have resigned, underscores the growing dissatisfaction within the field.
Approximately 100 attendees crowded into the international opportunities session at its start, highlighting the keen interest in overseas options.
This exodus of talent comes at a critical time for South Korea’s emergency medical services, which are facing a severe staffing crisis.
The ongoing conflict between the medical community and the government has exacerbated chronic staff shortages, with many residents resigning and specialists following suit due to physical and psychological burnout.
The impact is already being felt across the country. Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital has announced the suspension of nighttime emergency room operations this month due to a shortage of emergency medicine specialists.
Ajou University Hospital’s emergency department, which originally had 14 specialists for adult patients, has seen three resignations during the dispute, with four more doctors having recently submitted their resignations.
Emergency medical professionals argue that long-standing issues such as chronic understaffing and low reimbursement rates have led to the current crisis.
They are calling for improved working conditions and systemic reforms to save what they describe as an emergency medical system on the brink of collapse.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
