SEOUL – The South Korean government is on the verge of completing the distribution of the first batch of notices to suspend the medical licenses of striking trainee doctors, according to sources on Saturday. This action comes as a disciplinary measure against the mass resignations of medical interns and residents, who have been protesting for nearly three weeks against the government's policy to increase medical school enrollment.
According to Yonhap News Agency, approximately 90 percent of the 13,000 medical interns and residents have abstained from work in protest. The government had previously mandated these doctors to resume work by February 29, leveraging South Korea's medical law which permits such orders in the face of significant public health risks. The law stipulates that non-compliance can lead to up to one year of license suspension, three years of imprisonment, or a fine of 30 million won (approximately US$22,500).
In light of the ongoing protests, the government reaffirmed its commitment to planned medical reforms. Sung Tae-yoon, director of national policy at the presidential office, articulated on a local cable TV program the necessity of these reforms, which include increasing medical school admissions and devising strategies to reduce major hospitals' dependence on trainee doctors for surgeries and treatments. The proposed increase aims to raise the number of medical school slots to 5,058 by 2025, a move seen as crucial to address the challenges posed by the country's rapidly aging population, physician shortages in rural areas, and the lack of specialists in low-paying, yet essential fields such as pediatrics and emergency departments.
The government's goal is to mitigate an anticipated doctor shortfall of 15,000 by 2035. However, the Korean Medical Association (KMA), the largest doctor's lobby in the country, opposes the plan. The KMA contends that the increase in medical school enrollment will not solve the underlying issues of the medical system, such as the uneven distribution of doctors and the concentration of medical professionals in urban areas.
Since Tuesday, the government has initiated the process of issuing preliminary suspension notices to those trainee doctors who have not yet returned to their positions. These notices inform the recipients of the government's order to return to work and outline the consequences of continued absence, including potential license suspension if feedback is not provided by March 25.
The strike has significantly impacted the healthcare system, with trainee doctors playing a crucial role in assisting surgeries and managing inpatients at major hospitals, leading to nationwide delays and cancellations in medical procedures. The action is seen by some as a move by the striking doctors to protect their earnings and social status. South Korea has one of the lowest doctor-to-population ratios among developed nations, with 140,000 doctors for a population of approximately 51 million.