Tens of thousands of doctors protested the South Korean government’s medical school quota hike plan in Seoul on Sunday, as trainee doctors continue their 13-day strike. The rally, organized by the Korean Medical Association (KMA), called for dialogue with the government to resolve the ongoing walkout.
Crowds of doctors gathered in Seoul’s Yeouido district to wave protest flags and display signs opposing the quota hike without agreement from medical fields. The KMA’s emergency committee chief, Kim Taek-woo, criticized the government for pursuing medical reform without consulting the medical community, stressing the need for dialogue to avoid disruptions in medical services.
The strike, involving around 9,000 medical interns and residents, has led to mass cancellations and delays in surgeries and emergency medical treatment at major general hospitals. The government threatened the striking doctors with punitive action if they did not return to work by last Thursday, but the warning has had little effect so far.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo hinted at possible suspension of medical licenses for the striking trainee doctors, urging them to comply with the government’s demands. Allegations also surfaced online that some doctors were coercing drug salesmen to join the rally, prompting the presidential office to warn of “zero tolerance” for any illegal acts.
Police have imposed an overseas travel ban on four former and current KMA executives, including the emergency committee chief, as investigations continue into their involvement in the trainee doctors’ walkout. Interior Minister Lee Sang-min reiterated calls for the trainee doctors to return to work, emphasizing the importance of the medical workforce for the bio industry’s development.
The government stands firm on its decision to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 seats, citing the need for a skilled workforce in the evolving bio industry. Despite the ongoing protests and strike, authorities remain determined to resolve the situation and ensure the continuity of essential medical services in South Korea.
