SEOUL, South Korea — The South Korean government issued a stern warning on Monday to junior doctors protesting a proposed increase in medical school admissions. They are given until Thursday to return to work or face punitive measures including suspension of their medical licenses and possible prosecution.
Around 9,000 medical interns and residents have been on strike since last week opposing the government’s plan to boost medical school enrolments by an estimated 65%. The strike has considerably impacted hospital operations, leading to a multitude of treatment and surgery cancellations.
The government justifies the expansion plan as a necessary measure to cater to South Korea’s rapidly aging populace. The present ratio of doctors to patients in the country is among the lowest in developed countries.
However, the striking doctors argue that the proposed influx of new students will overload universities and fail to effectively address the persisting shortage of physicians in less remunerated but essential specialties such as pediatrics and emergency departments.
During a televised briefing on Monday, Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo indicated that the government will refrain from taking disciplinary action against the striking doctors contingent on their compliance to return to work by Thursday.
“We implore them to come back to work before month-end, February 29. If they return to their respective hospitals by this date, we will not hold them accountable for damages triggered by their strike actions,” stated Park. “It’s not too late. Please, return to serve your patients immediately.”
However, those not adhering to the specified deadline will be punished with a minimum suspension of their medical licenses for three months and possibly be subjected to further legal actions such as investigations and potential indictments.
South Korean medical law enables the government to issue return-to-work orders to doctors and other healthcare practitioners in situations of significant risk to public health. Non-compliance can result in license suspensions, up to three years’ imprisonment, or a fine of 30 million won ($22,480). Convicted individuals will be stripped of medical licenses.
Legal experts, such as Hyeondeok Choi, a partner at law firm Daeryun specializing in medical law, opine that it’s highly unlikely the government will suspend licenses of all striking doctors since that would cause a massive healthcare vacuum. The authorities, instead, would likely penalize strike leaders.
Approximately 13,000 medical interns and residents serve as doctors in training at around 100 hospitals in South Korea. They typically assist senior doctors and account for 30% to 40% of total doctors in some major hospitals.
Although the Korea Medical Association, a group representing about 140,000 doctors, backs the striking doctors, it remains undecided whether to join the walkouts. The government’s proposed plan has been subject to protests led by senior doctors.
The government announced earlier this month an increase in the number of admitted medical students from the current 3,058 to an additional 2,000 starting next year, with a target goal of 10,000 doctors by 2035.
While a public survey reveals that nearly 80% of South Koreans support this plan, critics suggest the doctors, known as a high-income group in South Korea, oppose the plan due to fears of increased competition and a potential decrease in income.
Local news reports suggest that the strike has led to a host of issues, including some hospitals turning away patients owing to staff shortage. Cancer patient Hwang Byung-tae accused both the government and doctors of disregarding patients’ lives. “It’s patients like me who end up suffering and dying, not them,” he stated.