Korea Medical Association Explained

The Korea Medical Association is a trade union in South Korea. It claims to represent 101,618[1] about two-thirds of the country's doctors.

In June 2000, the Association organised an indefinite strike in protest of government health reforms.[2] On March 10th, 2014 it organised a one-day strike in opposition to the government's plans to introduce telemedicine and against medical regulations they claimed infringed upon physicians' professional autonomy.[3] In August 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic with cases increasing in Korea, the Association organised a 3-day strike and its Korean Intern and Resident Association indefinite strike[4] in protest of the government's plan to increase the number of doctors over the next decade[5] [6] rejecting the government's return-to-work order.[7] From February 1st 2024 it is organizing massive protests against the government's plan to increase medical school students.[8]

The Association publishes the Journal of the Korea Medical Association. Volume 60 was published in March 2017.[9]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.kma.org/stat/sub1.asp
  2. News: South Korea doctors strike. 4 May 2017. BBC News. 20 June 2000.
  3. Kang. Cheong Kee. Conflict over Introduction of Tele-medicine and Effort to Restore the Health Care System. Japan Medical Association Journal. 1 August 2014. 57. 4. 253–257. 4375271. 26005624.
  4. Web site: Moon Calls for Stern Action against Doctors' Strike. 2020-08-26. world.kbs.co.kr. en.
  5. Web site: 2020-08-26. Asia Today: SKorea orders doctors to stop strike amid crisis. 2020-08-26. KWKT - FOX 44. en-US.
  6. News: Yoon. Dasl. 2020-08-13. South Korea's Coronavirus Response Under Pressure as Doctors Plan Strike. en-US. Wall Street Journal. 2020-08-26. 0099-9660.
  7. Web site: Prime Minister Urges Doctors on Strike to Immediately Return to Work. 2020-08-26. world.kbs.co.kr. en.
  8. Web site: 2024-03-05 . Why are nearly 10,000 junior doctors in South Korea on strike? . 2024-06-12 . euronews . en.
  9. Web site: JKMA. 4 May 2017.