The Korean government has taken a tough stance against doctors and medical professors who participated in the largest strike in the country’s history. On June 18, Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong issued a return-to-work order for those who had taken part in the protest. Approximately 4% of the 36,000 private clinics that had notified the government of their closure were involved in the strike, prompting the government to issue the order to minimize medical disruptions.
The strike was organized by the Korean Medical Association (KMA), which represents private clinic doctors and university hospital doctors. The strike began on June 18 in response to the government’s decision to increase medical student enrollment quotas and to cancel administrative penalties for interns and residents who had quit their jobs in February. Professors from 40 medical schools also joined the strike, organized by the Korean Medical Professors Association.
President Yoon Suk Yeol expressed disappointment over the strike and emphasized the need to strictly handle cases of violations and patient neglect. The government warned that administrative sanctions could be imposed and practices could be suspended in cases of serious medical consequences. The Health Minister also stated that doctors who refuse medical examination and treatment may face criminal prosecution.
The strike has been met with criticism from various sectors, including patient organizations, medical associations, and the general public. Nearly eight out of 10 Koreans oppose the doctors’ strike, according to a recent survey. While the government believes that increasing medical school enrollment quotas is necessary to strengthen the medical workforce, doctors argue that it will negatively impact the quality of medical services and result in higher hospital bills for patients.
In an effort to de-escalate the situation,
