Most South Korea trainee doctors defying pressure to end walkout

Thousands of South Korean trainee doctors are continuing their mass walkout, defying the government’s deadline to return to work or face potential suspension of their medical licenses. Two-thirds of the country’s residents and intern doctors are protesting a plan to increase annual medical school admissions by 2,000 to address a perceived doctor shortage. As of Wednesday, only 294 out of over 9,000 striking trainees had returned to work. The protesting doctors argue that the government should address pay and working conditions before expanding medical school admissions. The government, however, claims that its healthcare reforms address many concerns, including legal protection and improved pay. The walkout has disrupted hospital services, leading the government to issue a back-to-work order and threaten license suspensions. The government has invited trainee doctors to a meeting in an attempt to resolve the impasse.

Source – CGTN