A union representing health care workers is likely to stage a general strike on Thursday, after the latest round of 14-hour negotiations with the government fell through.

In a statement to the public on Tuesday, Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol urged unionized health workers to abandon their walkout plans amid the pandemic and to return to negotiations.

The minister added that the strike will likely strain the country's health care system and that in the end the public will have to take on the brunt of its consequences.

Kwon also apologized to the public for causing concern, pledging to continue talks to narrow differences and to mitigate any inconvenience. He said front-line personnel in emergency rooms, intensive care units and delivery wards will not take part in the action. 

On Friday, the Korean Health and Medical Workers' Union(KHMU) voted to launch the strike on Thursday, demanding more workers, improved conditions, and the establishment of hospitals specializing in infectious diseases.