Medical field must think of people

"This fight against Medical Reform is a historic one, calling to guarantee the doctors' medical rights to treat and the people's rights to receive the treatment."

"Our advance guards are ready. Let us all become soldiers of bravery and justice in this fight of ours."

Such were the words of the medical professionals as they prepared for the talks with the government. It is as if they have waged a holy war against the forces of evil.

In the talks, where sensitive issues will be put on the table, the medical field plans to send all 10 members of the radical advance guard wing of the doctors in the fight against medical reform. They plan to take down every word spoken during the talks in shorthand.

Although it might be taken as a rigid stance by the medical field to stay true to its will, many government representatives are worried that the talks might prove to have insurmountable barrier.

"Frankly, the talks seem very unpredictable at this point," an anonymous source at the government said.

In the light of the current mood, a greater possibility of yet another series of hospital closures and disruptions of medical services exist. It looks as though the talks with the medical field are proving more difficult than even the ones between the two Koreas or between the ruling and the opposition parties.

The demands by the medical field are not without basis. The sense of betrayal and frustration felt by the medical field is understandable.

However, it would be advisable for the medical field to take heed of the rising criticism that extreme sensitivity of the executive committee to the various demands from within has blocked all roads leading to conciliation.

The Chief of the Seoul Police Agency has expressed his dissatisfaction concerning the clash between the police and the medical students at Yonsei University. To demand that the Police Chief come to the negotiation table and personally apologize to the medical field representatives seems somewhat extreme.

It would be better if the medical field abandoned its current stance, which seems to be driven by the demands of the medical students, and re-designate a negotiation team of three to four members with the full authority to make the final agreements.

Currently, voices of discontent have been rising among the public, questioning yet another talk with the medical field. The public doesn¡¯t really care and has had it up to its neck with the doctors.

In such battles, the greatest weapon and strength is the support of the people. The two sides should remember that it is the people who provide the justification and benefit for their demands, and found the common grounds as quickly as possible.

yongari@donga.com