KMA decides against second strike

A major doctors` group that had threatened to stage another walkout has decided against holding another round of strikes and to suspend voting on this matter.

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) reached the decision in a standing executive committee meeting held yesterday, also saying that it would not acknowledge the results of a vote scheduled Thursday by the hardline "committee for regaining medical rights."

The KMA released a statement yesterday, saying that the decision came about because "the goal of our fight is to practice true medicine, which is possible only if we respect the lives of the people. Now is not the time for another strike."

Insiders and experts expect some resistance from the hardline members, but predicted that medical reform would now proceed as scheduled in early August.