South Korean National Assembly passes bill to expand nurses' rights

On August 28, the South Korean National Assembly passed a bill allowing nurses to perform some medical procedures normally performed by doctors, amid a prolonged doctors' strike.

For years, lobby groups and unions have pushed for nursing legislation to improve working conditions for nurses, but their efforts have faced strong opposition from doctors and a lack of consensus among opposition parties in Congress.

However, nurses have come under increasing scrutiny, both legally and professionally, since thousands of trainee doctors went on a nationwide strike in February to protest government plans to increase medical school admissions.

At the same time, the recent surge in COVID-19 cases threatens to overwhelm hospitals, so the new bill is designed to create a legal framework to allow nurses to replace doctors in performing certain medical procedures.

Speaking at a press conference, Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said the bill would help strengthen support for medical professionals and called on doctors to end their strike.

The Korean Nursing Association welcomed the bill, noting that it was the result of 19 years of effort.

However, the Korean Medical Association, the country's largest doctors' association, accused the government of creating division among medical workers and warned that the document would ultimately harm patients.