Doctors to Stage a Collective Strike

In an attempt to resist the government's medical reform program, which prevents clinics from selling excessive drugs, doctors will stage an indefinite strike refusing to conduct medical treatments starting March 30. Kim Jae-jung, the president of the association that struggles for doctor's rights, was hospitalized on March 28 after a hunger strike.

Large hospitals meanwhile will launch a test of the medical reform program for the 3 days. A new drug prescription system, which regulates the doctors's sales of medical prescriptions, will be adopted for a brief period.

The Korean Medical Association claimed that, "30 percent of the physicians will have to close down if government pushes ahead with its plan." The members continued, "We shall start this indefinite strike to try to correct the ill conceived medical refrom program."

by Kang Chan-soo