SoKor Gov't Issues Ultimatum To Striking Doctors

The South Korean government has issued an ultimatum to junior doctors, warning them to end their walkouts within four days or face prosecution or suspension of their medical licenses.

The strike has had severe consequences for hospital operations, leading to numerous cancellations of surgeries and other medical treatments. I Photo: parkyongjoo, Wikimedia Commons

The Associated Press (AP) reported that approximately 9,000 medical interns and residents have been on strike since early last week in protest of a government proposal to increase medical school admissions by approximately 65%.

The strike has had severe consequences for hospital operations, leading to numerous cancellations of surgeries and other medical treatments.

The government argues that increasing the number of doctors is necessary to address the challenges posed by South Korea's rapidly aging population, which currently faces one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios among developed countries.

However, the striking doctors argue that the plan to increase medical school admissions is not a viable solution to the chronic shortage of doctors, particularly in essential but low-paying areas such as pediatrics and emergency departments.

They contend that universities cannot adequately accommodate the influx of new students.

Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo announced during a televised briefing that the government would refrain from taking disciplinary action against striking doctors if they return to work by Thursday, providing them with an opportunity to resolve the standoff peacefully.

The government's ultimatum underscores the urgency of the situation and highlights the ongoing tension between healthcare professionals and policymakers in South Korea over issues related to medical education and workforce planning.

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