South Korean Trainee Doctors Resign Over Government's School Admission Quotas

Trainee doctors in South Korea initiated mass resignations late on Monday in protest against a government medical policy, resulting in reported disruptions in hospital services, as reported by Jiwon Song for the Associated Press (AP).

The Korea Intern Resident Association, representing these doctors, made the decision to resign during an emergency meeting last week. I Photo: Yonhap News Agency

The resignations come amidst disagreements between doctors' groups and the government over plans to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 starting next year.

While health authorities argue for the necessity of more doctors due to the country's aging population, doctors' associations insist that existing issues, such as low medical fees, need to be addressed first.

Some doctors express concerns that increased admissions could lead to unnecessary medical procedures and strain the public health insurance system.

Trainee doctors at major hospitals submitted resignation letters on Monday, with formal strikes commencing on Tuesday. The Korea Intern Resident Association, representing these doctors, made the decision to resign during an emergency meeting last week.

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