South Korea's Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong expressed in an interview with local SBS radio that despite the set deadline, the majority of striking doctors have not resumed their duties, underscoring the possibility of legal repercussions should medical professionals continue their work stoppages, which have thrown hospitals into disarray.
The ongoing strike saw nearly 10,000 junior doctors, representing approximately 80 percent of the trainee workforce, submitting notices and abstaining from work to protest against government proposals aimed at significantly boosting medical school admissions to address shortages and an aging population. Medical practitioners argue that such measures would compromise service quality, while industry bodies have criticized the government's perceived use of coercive methods.
By South Korean legislation, doctors are prohibited from striking, with authorities issuing warnings of potential arrests and suspensions of medical licenses for those failing to return to their duties by Thursday.
Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong emphasized during the radio interview conducted early Thursday that if junior doctors resume their duties by the day's end, they will not face repercussions. While some trainee doctors have opted to end their participation in the walkout and return to their respective hospitals, a comprehensive return to work has not yet materialized, Cho noted, urging all striking doctors to prioritize patient welfare.
The widespread work stoppage led to the disruption and postponement of various medical procedures, including surgeries, chemotherapy sessions, and cesarean sections, prompting the government to elevate its public health alert to the highest level.
Cho reiterated the government's commitment to the reform agenda, citing the pressing need to address shortages in the healthcare workforce and the looming demographic challenges. The proposed reforms, which entail a 65 percent increase in medical school admissions, aim to mitigate the scarcity of healthcare professionals.
Despite the concerns raised by doctors regarding potential salary cuts and social status implications, polling data indicates substantial public support for the reforms, with President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has taken a firm stance against the striking doctors, witnessing a rise in approval ratings ahead of the upcoming legislative election in April.
South Korea faces one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios among developed nations, prompting the government's push to admit an additional 2,000 students to medical schools annually, starting from the next academic year.
In response to the walkout, the health ministry has called for a police investigation into individuals associated with the strike, including five individuals linked to the Korean Medical Association, as proponents of the reform stress the critical importance of addressing the nation's healthcare challenges.
