The government will come up with criteria for managing medical personnel tasked with treating COVID-19 patients. 

In a Thursday briefing, Health Ministry official Park Hyang said the government formed a consultative body in May and has been holding related talks with the Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union. 

Park said the government is devising a standard for assigning personnel to treat COVID-19 patients, given that it is different from treating other conditions. Park said the government is well aware that nurses and other healthcare workers are essential due to the pandemic. 

She added that the government is doing its best to come to an agreement with the union to avoid any disruptions in treating patients or using medical facilities as well as a walkout by unionized workers. 

Park’s remark comes a day after the union vowed to launch a general strike on September 2 following a vote, arguing that negotiations held on multiple levels with the government since May have yet to produce an agreement.