Korean Health & Medical Workers’ Union calls off general strike after reaching deal with government

“It has created a new phase in the implementation of the September 2nd labour-management agreement that had been suspended due to the Yoon Seok-yeol administration,” said KHMU President Choi Hee-sun.

Government officials and union leaders discussed several key initiatives, including launching a pilot four-day workweek within healthcare, addressing deficits at public hospitals, and strengthening public-interest medical corporations. Earlier this year, KHMU also signed a Policy MOU with then-presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung’s team during his campaign, laying groundwork for renewed dialogue under the new government.

UNI Asia & Pacific Regional Secretary Rajendra Acharya commented on the breakthrough: “We congratulate KHMU for their strong leadership and united membership. We are optimistic that KHMU’s efforts will lead to a better health system that delivers both greater equity and improved working conditions in the Korean healthcare sector.”

Since calling off plans for an industry-wide strike, several regional agreements have been reached. At Konyang University Medical Center in Daejeon, an eight-day strike ended with staff securing a 2.07 percent base pay increase and additional benefits totaling a 4.2 percent overall increase, along with implementation of a five-day workweek starting March 2026.

At Public Children’s Rehabilitation Hospital in Daejeon, workers concluded a seven-day strike on 31 July by achieving a three percent base pay increase and improved conditions.

Local union president Kang Hye-bin said: “I hope this year’s strike would serve as a stepping stone to receiving government funding, and I am grateful that we were able to win the struggle with the solidarity and support of many people.”

With these developments, KHMU has withdrawn its plan for another industry-wide strike originally set for 5 August.