Thousands of South Korean physicians demonstrated in Seoul on Sunday in an intensifying confrontation with the government over medical training reforms, which has resulted in a mass resignation of junior doctors, throwing hospitals into chaos.
Approximately 10,000 junior doctors quit and stopped working over two weeks ago in protest of increases in medical school admissions beginning next year, which are intended to fight shortages and an ageing nation.
The striking professionals have rejected the government’s February 29 deadline to return to work or risk legal action, including detention or suspension of their medical licenses.
The protestors wore black masks and held signs reading “We oppose the medical school admissions increase”.
“The government is pushing the reforms unilaterally and that the doctors can not accept under any circumstances”, Kim Taek-woo of the Korea Medical Association told the crowd of protestors.
“The government is very aware of the reasons why all doctors are opposing the increase in the medical school admissions but are exploiting policies to turn doctors into slaves forever”.
The widespread work stoppage has taken a toll on hospitals, with critical procedures and surgeries being canceled, causing the government to increase its public health alert to the highest level.
Approximately half of the procedures scheduled at certain large hospitals have been canceled since last week, according to the health ministry.
Doctors are not allowed to strike under South Korean law, and the government demanded that police investigate those involved in the strike this week.
While the return-to-work date has past, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min said in a KBS television interview on Sunday that the government will still “exercise utmost leniency for trainee doctors if they return to work by the end of today”.
“But if they don’t come back by today, the government will have no choice but to act sternly in accordance with laws and principles.”
Lee reaffirmed the government’s commitment to its reform goals, claiming that the 65 percent increase in medical admissions “isn’t that large” given the importance of the healthcare industry.
Undemocratic
South Korea’s government is trying to admit 2,000 more medical students every year beginning next year in order to solve one of the lowest doctor-to-population ratios among wealthy nations.
Doctors are concerned that the change will reduce the quality of care and medical education, while supporters accuse doctors of attempting to protect their wages and social standing.
Polls reveal that up to 75% of the public supports the measures.
President Yoon Suk Yeol has taken a harsh line against the striking doctors, and his approval ratings have increased as the standoff continues.
With legislative elections in April and Yoon’s party vying for a parliamentary majority, commentators say the government is unlikely to compromise swiftly.
However, doctors have pledged not to back down, claiming that the government’s plan does not address the sector’s underlying concerns.
“We have nowhere to retreat anymore. We will not just sit idly by the government acting undemocratic,” Lee Jeong-geun, interim head of the KMA, said at the Sunday protest.