Welcome to BASE21

The newly-appointed health and welfare minister has pledged to hold frank and candid talks with doctors, interns and residents to to resolve the strike against a medical reform package.

``I'll make utmost efforts to put an end to the ongoing strike through dialogue with protesting doctors,'' said Choi Sun-jung, minister of health and welfare, who succeeded Cha Heung-bong in a Cabinet shakeup Monday.

He promised to restore the confidence of doctors in order to make the reform package a success.

Choi, 56, said his ministry will take comprehensive measures to break the deadlock soon.

``The separation of prescription and dispensing under the reform plan is aimed at improving people's health. Therefore, doctors are required to actively cooperate with pharmacists,'' the minister said.

He said that his ministry is committed to help doctors take pride in their profession with enhanced roles and stable income.

But, Choi made it clear that he will cling to the firm principle of the reform program, hinting that the government would not easily give in to the striking doctors.

Choi has served at the ministry since he passed the state examination for civil servants in 1971.

Choi had served as vice health and welfare minister from March 1998 until he resigned in May last year. He was reported to have gained reputation as health-welfare policymaker.

However, his installation as health-welfare minister drew mixed reactions amid the walkout by doctors.

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) welcomed Choi's appointment ostensibly by issuing a statement, saying that it was glad that the government named such a career bureaucrat as minister.

But the KMA, an interest group of 45,000 doctors, pointed out that Choi was one of those responsible for the present crisis as he designed the framework of the medical reform package in 1998 as vice minister and head of the reform committee.

The association organizing the doctors' strike called on Choi to work out measures to cope with the health-care service crisis.

Many disgruntled doctors were casting a doubtful eye on the minister who he is expected to press ahead with the reform plan, despite the strong opposition by doctors.

Rumors had it that the KMA, hospitals and doctors were opposed to the naming of Choi.

Choi played a leading role in striking a deal between doctors and pharmacists on the medical reform program with the help from civic groups in May last year, shortly before he left the ministry.

``We believe that it would be difficult for the new minister to accept our demands since he was at the vanguard for the reform,'' said Park Min-hun, a spokesman for the association of 15,000 interns and residents, who are hardliners to the reform.

He urged the minister to map out plans to overhaul the dilapidated health-care system for the realization of true reform.

He also called for an immediate release of arrested representatives of doctors, interns and residents who are alleged to have orchestrated the strike.

In the meantime, the Korean Pharmaceutical Association (KPA), a lobbying group of 70,000 pharmacists, welcomed Choi's installation to the top post of the health administration.

``The new minister will complete the implementation of the new medical service system by continuing to press his reform drive policies,'' said KMA secretary-general Shin Hyon-chang.

He believed that Choi will be able to carry out other urgent tasks, including the full integration of national pension schemes.

Officials at the ministry showed quite a positive reaction to Choi's appointment, claiming that it is desirable for a career bureaucrat to lead the ministry.

They breathed a sigh of relief as worries over a ruling party member or other politician taking over the post dipped.