SEOUL - South Korea's Health Minister, Cho Kyoo-hong, has reiterated the government's appeal to the country's trainee doctors to engage in dialogue and resolve the ongoing strike. The call for a unified proposal regarding medical school admission quotas comes amid a significant walkout by junior doctors, which began on February 20. The strike is a protest against the government's proposal to increase the number of medical school seats.
According to Yonhap News Agency, this plan is essential for revitalizing essential medical services and addressing doctor shortages, especially in rural areas. The government remains open to discussions, although it considers the proposed increase in seats to be based on scientific research. The ongoing strike has prompted the government to deploy additional support staff to hospitals to maintain operations.