A health care workers' union and the government will hold last-ditch negotiations on increasing the workforce and improving working conditions ahead of the union's planned strike starting at 7 a.m. on Thursday.

In a message to reporters on Tuesday, the Health Ministry said the 13th round of talks will begin at 3 p.m. on Wednesday.

During 14-hour marathon talks on Monday, the two sides failed to narrow differences on key issues of strengthening public health care and expanding the workforce amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

After discussions fell through, Health Minister Kwon Deok-cheol on Tuesday urged the union to return, saying the strike will strain the health care system and that the public will take on the brunt of its consequences.

Should the strike proceed as planned, the ministry plans to maintain a 24-hour system at emergency rooms and exclude staff at public hospitals from the walkout to mitigate the impact.