Seoul - The South Korean government is poised to announce measures aimed at addressing the ongoing strike by trainee doctors, officials indicated on Sunday. The planned actions are in response to the junior doctors' refusal to return to work amidst disputes over medical reform.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong had previously committed to rolling out these measures by early July. The move comes as hospitals gear up for the September intake of new trainees. In a bid to stabilize the healthcare system, the government has opted not to suspend the medical licenses of trainees who agree to resume their duties.
As of Thursday, only 1,104 of the 13,756 trainee doctors, representing about 8 percent, were present at their posts in 211 training hospitals nationwide. The trainees have been striking for nearly five months against a policy to increase medical student admissions for the first time in 27 years, a decision finalized this May. Initially, hospitals were directed to reject resignation letters from these doctors to prevent them from seeking employment elsewhere. However, this order was rescinded in late June to help normalize hospital operations.
The prolonged strike has caused significant disruptions, prompting even medical professors and senior doctors at general hospitals to begin their own protests.