Unionized health workers who are threatening to strike from Thursday called on the government and ruling party to respond swiftly to their demands for more workers and better working conditions.

In a press conference Tuesday, President Na Soon-ja of the Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union(KHMW) said the health minister's statement issued earlier in the day only reiterated the ministry's existing stance.

She said the government must present concrete measures to support healthcare workers fighting on the front lines. Na added that three months of precious time have been wasted due to the Health Ministry’s reluctant attitude.

Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol earlier noted that talks with the union fell through, but the government will do its best to resolve the dispute.

The two sides have agreed on a bigger framework but still remain divided on five key issues including better conditions for nurses, expanding public sector healthcare resources, drafting the criteria on personnel selection for hospitals treating COVID-19 patients and officialize hazard pay for these workers.