與•의협 '의대정원 확대•공공의대' 원점 재논의 최종합의<br /><br />Doctors in South Korea have finally decided to end their weekslong strike and return to work after the government backed down on plans to reform the sector.<br />But their return to work may take a little longer as trainee medics continue to reject the deal.<br />Lee Kyung-eun has the latest.<br />The South Korean government's medical reform plans have been put on hold,… and thousands of doctors are expected to return to work soon.<br />The reform 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 weeks long protest... was a five-point agreement.<br />The Korean Medical Association and Health Ministry met on Friday afternoon,... where they agreed to halt plans for the medical reforms and resume discussions once COVID-19 ends.<br />They will set up a joint organization to run the discussions to prevent any unilateral decisions.<br />They also agreed to re-negotiate the medical reform plans.... in a manner that looks to the future and to make joint efforts in the fight against COVID-19.<br />"I sincerely apologize to the public for causing so much worry and inconvenience. We welcome the KMA's decision to return to dialogue and to focus on fighting COVID-19."<br />These agreements are in parallel with those the KMA signed with the ruling Democratic Party earlier in the morning,...which the party hopes COULD bring positive results for both sides.<br />"We hope those protesting students re-register for the Medical Licensing Exam that they previously canceled,... and we will also work to retract criminal charges against doctors who did not comply with the back-to-work order."<br />Neither agreement says the medical reform will be "scrapped", but the head of the KMA said he believes,....that it effectively means that the talks can resume with a clean slate.<br />However, some doctors raised internal objections, prompting concerns that their return to work may take a little more time.<br />Some 80 trainee doctors lodged strong protests at Friday's signing event between the KMA and the health ministry, forcing it to be moved to another site.<br />Lee Kyung-eun, Arirang News.<br />
