South Korea’s President emphasizes that medical licenses should not be wielded as a weapon against individuals

Seoul, March 19 (IANS) President Yoon Suk Yeol urged junior doctors in South Korea on Tuesday to end their month-long walkout against the government’s plan to increase medical school admissions. Yoon emphasized the importance of serving the people and not using medical licenses as tools of protest.

Yoon expressed his disappointment during a Cabinet meeting, stating that the government’s plan to address the shortage of physicians is crucial for the well-being of the people. Despite protests from doctors’ groups, the government stands by its decision to increase admissions to medical schools by 2,000 starting next year.

The government has warned junior doctors that their medical licenses will be suspended if they continue the walkout. The standoff has escalated, with medical professors planning to join the protest by resigning next Monday. Yoon emphasized that medical licenses should not be used to create anxiety among the people.

Yoon announced the formation of a special presidential committee on medical reform in April to facilitate dialogue between doctors’ groups and the government. He also pledged to host debates on medical reform issues, similar to the people’s livelihood debates that have been conducted since the beginning of the year. The President reiterated the importance of serving the patients and urged all medical staff to return to their duties.