SEOUL — Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong vowed on Wednesday to implement stringent measures against any efforts to prevent junior doctors from resuming work at hospitals, following recent disruptions caused by the circulation of doctors’ names online.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the ministry has acted decisively in response to the situation, referring 21 cases related to the release of lists and defamation to law enforcement, who have identified suspects and forwarded the cases to prosecutors. “We intend to respond firmly and sternly to illegal activities that hinder the return of junior doctors and will hold those responsible accountable until the end,” Cho stated at a government response meeting. The health minister also encouraged resigned junior doctors to participate in new recruitment processes initiated last week, stressing the importance of replenishing the workforce for the benefit of patients and the national healthcare system.
The urgency of the matter comes after hospitals processed the resignations of nearly 7,700 trainee doctors earlier this year, who protested against a medical school quota increase since February. The departures prompted hospitals to issue new recruitment notices. As of the latest update, 971 residents have secured new roles, a significant increase from the previous week.