與•의협 '의대정원 확대•공공의대' 원점 재논의 최종합의<br /><br />Thousands of doctors in South Korea are set to return to work... with the ruling Democratic Party and the Korean Medical Association finally reaching an agreement over medical reform plans.<br />This comes after weeks of strikes by trainee doctors.<br />Lee Kyung-eun has the latest.<br />The South Korean government's medical reform plans will be temporarily put on hold,… and thousands of doctors are set to return to work.<br />Those plans, the core of which were increasing medical school admission quotas and building public medical schools, had prompted thousands of doctors to stage a walkout since August 21st.<br />Putting an end to the two-week-long protest... the ruling Democratic Party's policy committee chief Han Jeong-ae, and the head of the Korean Medical Association Choi Dae-zip met on Friday morning and agreed on three major points.<br />First up, the party promised to put on hold its push for the medical reform plans, and resume discussions once the COVID-19 situation stabilizes in the country.<br />A joint organization will also be in charge of the process.<br />Also, the party agreed to enhance the competitiveness and quality of public health and medical institutions.<br />Lastly, the party will help improve the working conditions of trainee doctors based on a specific request from the Korean Intern Resident Association.<br />The agreement does not say that the party will "scrap" the plan entirely, but it practically implies that the negotiations would restart with a clean slate later.<br />The head of the KMA made similar remarks.<br />Also at the signing event was the ruling Democratic Party's new leader, Lee Nak-yon.<br />Lee said the agreement could ease concerns over the Medical Licensing Exam, which has been delayed due to mass cancellations by protesting medical students.<br />The KMA is set to sign a separate pact with the government, after which they will officially announce their return to work.<br />Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.<br />
