SEOUL—Prime Minister Han Duck-soo issued a stark warning to striking trainee doctors on Sunday, suggesting that the government could suspend medical licenses if the ongoing walkout over a dispute concerning medical school admission quotas continues. The standoff, which has seen about 9,000 medical interns and residents abstain from their critical roles in surgeries and emergency services, shows no signs of resolution nearly two weeks after the government's set deadline for their return.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the prime minister's statements during a meeting at the main government building in central Seoul, the government is prepared to "fulfill the duty entrusted by the Constitution and the law without hesitation" if the illegal vacancy of medical sites persists. This confrontation has led to a significant rally at Yeouido Park, where approximately 20,000 doctors nationwide gathered at 2 p.m. on Sunday to voice their opposition to the government's plan to increase the medical school admission quota by 2,000 starting next year.
The presidential office also addressed allegations of doctors attempting to forcibly mobilize pharmaceutical sales representatives for the protest, emphasizing a "zero tolerance" policy towards any illegal acts. Reports of coercion emerged on online communities, with claims of doctors threatening to change prescribed drugs if sales representatives did not participate in the rally. In response to these allegations, the presidential office assured that any verified illegal activities would be treated as serious violations of the Medical Service Act.
Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, speaking on a live news program, reiterated calls for the striking doctors to return to work, offering leniency for those who comply by Sunday. This appeal comes as the government's previous ultimatum, which threatened punitive actions including criminal punishment or license revocation, has failed to end the walkout. Lee highlighted the government's stance, stating that the proposed increase in medical school admissions is necessary for the development of the bio industry, which is expected to be a future growth engine for South Korea.
Despite the government's firm warnings and the potential for serious consequences, the deadlock between the striking doctors and the authorities continues, reflecting deep divisions over the future of medical education and the provision of healthcare services in the country.
SEOUL—The South Korean presidential office has declared a strict "zero tolerance" policy in response to online allegations that some doctors attempted to forcibly recruit pharmaceutical sales representatives for a rally against the government's medical school quota increase plan. This announcement was made as around 20,000 doctors from across the country were expected to convene at Yeouido Park in Seoul to protest the proposed addition of 2,000 medical school seats starting next year.According to Yonhap News Agency, the office is closely monitoring the situation to assess the potential impact of the doctors' collective action on public health and safety. The official's comments came after several posts on online communities claimed that doctors were leveraging their prescribing power to compel pharmaceutical salesmen to participate in the rally, with one post alleging direct threats of business repercussions for non-compliance.
The presidential office has emphasized that any confirmed illegal activities related to these allegations will be rigorously addressed. Authorities have initiated a legal investigation into the claims, which, if substantiated, might be classified as illegal coercion and violations of the Medical Service Act.
This firm stance by the presidential office underscores the government's commitment to maintaining lawful and ethical standards within both the medical and pharmaceutical sectors, particularly in the context of public demonstrations and professional conduct.