<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuidnbe941wrqRZL" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed on Wednesday (Mar 6) that he would not tolerate the ongoing strikes by thousands of junior doctors.</p>

<p>President Yoon addressed a Cabinet meeting where he called the walkouts "an illegal collective action" that threatens public health and shakes the country’s governing systems.</p>

<p>“The collective action by the doctors is an act that betrays their responsibilities and shakes the basis of liberalism and constitutionalism,” AP news agency quoted him as saying.</p>

<p>“An illegal action that infringes upon the people’s right to life will never be tolerated,” he added.</p>

<h2><strong>A 'return to work' deadline missed by most doctors</strong></h2>

<p>Since late February, trainee doctors have been protesting against a government plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 per year.</p>

<p>Around 9,000 resident and intern doctors have left their jobs since the strikes began. They&nbsp;have accused the government of ignoring their harsh conditions — working more than 80 hours per week at close to a minimum wage.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-south-koreas-hospitals-on-red-alert-as-thousands-of-doctors-stage-walkout-over-proposed-reforms-692913">Explained: Proposed reforms that have led South Korea’s doctors to walk out</a></strong></p>

<p>The report said that striking resident and intern doctors represent only 6.5 per cent of South Korea's 140,000 doctors. But in reality, in some major hospitals they account for 30-40 per cent of the workforce.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The strikes have subsequently caused hundreds of cancelled surgeries and other treatments at hospitals.</p>

<p>President Yoon's government has repeatedly urged the striking doctors to return to work or face indictments and minimum three-month license suspensions. The government had set a February 29 deadline for the doctors to return but most of them missed this.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The Korean Medical Association (KMA), which represents doctors in the country, has expressed its support for the striking doctors but hasn’t decided whether to take part in the walkouts.</p>

<h2><strong>Police to question KMA over strikes</strong></h2>

<p>The South Korean police on Wednesday called in for questioning officials from the KMA over the accusation that they violated the country's Medical Service Act. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the health ministry filed a complaint against KMA officials for violating the act, alleging they obstructed government actions by supporting trainee doctors who walked off their jobs.</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;South Korean doctors rally as government calls for end to walkout</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korean-doctors-rally-as-government-calls-for-end-to-walkout-696444/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>Speaking to Reuters, a police official said that KMA spokesperson Joo Soo-ho attended a police station in Seoul on Wednesday. The official said that other senior members of the medical association were also due to be questioned in the following days.</p>

<p>Last week, the police raided KMA offices with the association calling the police action absurd behaviour.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed on Wednesday (Mar 6) that he would not tolerate the ongoing strikes by thousands of junior doctors. President Yoon addressed a Cabinet meeting where he called the walkouts "an illegal collective action" that threatens public health and shakes the country’s governing systems.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed on Wednesday (Mar 6) that he would not tolerate the ongoing strikes by thousands of junior doctors. President Yoon addressed a Cabinet meeting where he called the walkouts "an illegal collective action" that threatens public health and shakes the country’s governing systems. “The collective action by the doctors is an act that betrays their responsibilities and shakes the basis of liberalism and constitutionalism,” AP news agency quoted him as saying. “An illegal action that infringes upon the people’s right to life will never be tolerated,” he added. A 'return to work' deadline missed by most doctors Since late February, trainee doctors have been protesting against a government plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 per year. Around 9,000 resident and intern doctors have left their jobs since the strikes began. They have accused the government of ignoring their harsh conditions — working more than 80 hours per week at close to a minimum wage. Also read | Explained: Proposed reforms that have led South Korea’s doctors to walk out The report said that striking resident and intern doctors represent only 6.5 per cent of South Korea's 140,000 doctors. But in reality, in some major hospitals they account for 30-40 per cent of the workforce. The strikes have subsequently caused hundreds of cancelled surgeries and other treatments at hospitals. President Yoon's government has repeatedly urged the striking doctors to return to work or face indictments and minimum three-month license suspensions. The government had set a February 29 deadline for the doctors to return but most of them missed this. The Korean Medical Association (KMA), which represents doctors in the country, has expressed its support for the striking doctors but hasn’t decided whether to take part in the walkouts. Police to question KMA over strikes The South Korean police on Wednesday called in for questioning officials from the KMA over the accusation that they violated the country's Medical Service Act. According to a report by the news agency Reuters, the health ministry filed a complaint against KMA officials for violating the act, alleging they obstructed government actions by supporting trainee doctors who walked off their jobs. Also watch | South Korean doctors rally as government calls for end to walkout × Speaking to Reuters, a police official said that KMA spokesperson Joo Soo-ho attended a police station in Seoul on Wednesday. The official said that other senior members of the medical association were also due to be questioned in the following days. Last week, the police raided KMA offices with the association calling the police action absurd behaviour. (With inputs from agencies)

South Korea doctors' strike: Will not tolerate walkouts, vows President Yoon

<p><meta name="uuid" content="uuido3qgwiMOVYDR" /><meta charset="utf-8" /></p>

<p>South Korea's Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said on Thursday (Feb 29) that the government was seeking to hold its first talks with striking doctors as a deadline loomed for them to return to work or risk prosecution. According to a report by the news agency AFP, Park said, "I sent a text message asking (doctor representatives) to meet up... I have to actually go to the location today to see how many people will attend."</p>

<p>Nearly 10,000 doctors handed in notice and walked off the job last week to protest the government's plan to sharply increase medical school admissions to cope with shortages and an ageing society.</p>

<p><strong>Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-south-koreas-hospitals-on-red-alert-as-thousands-of-doctors-stage-walkout-over-proposed-reforms-692913">Explained: Proposed reforms that have led South Korea’s doctors to walk out</a></strong></p>

<p>Striking doctors have said that the plan would affect the quality of service.</p>

<h2><strong>An ultimatum to doctors</strong></h2>

<p>As per South Korean law, doctors are not allowed to strike. AFP reported that the government threatened to arrest and suspend the medical licences of those who did not return to work by Thursday. In an interview with a radio station, Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said that if doctors returned by the end of Thursday, "we will not hold them accountable."</p>

<p>Cho said that some of the doctors who joined the strikes subsequently returned to their hospitals. However, a full-scale return had not yet materialised, he said, adding, "As today is the last day of the return, I implore them to do so for the patients."</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;South Korea empowers nurses as doctors' strike continues</strong></p>

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/south-korea-empowers-nurses-as-doctors-strike-continues-694521/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

<p>The health minister further said the government was committed to its reform plan, which would increase medical school admissions by 65 per cent, citing shortages of health professionals and a looming demographic crisis.</p>

<h2><strong>Govt accused of intimidation</strong></h2>

<p>On Wednesday, the Korean Medical Association (KMA)- a prominent doctors' group, accused the government of <strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/doctors-association-in-south-korea-accuses-government-of-intimidation-694782">attempting to resolve the issue with threats </a></strong>rather than dialogue.</p>

<p>Addressing a press conference, KMA spokesperson Joo Soo-ho said, "It is disheartening to witness the government's excessive accusations and intimidation tactics."</p>

<p>"If the government intensifies its punishment after March 1st, there will be no more resident doctors and specialists produced in the future," Joo added.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Earlier, the health ministry requested the police to launch an investigation into people connected to the walkout, including five linked to the KMA.</p>

<p>The ongoing strikes have resulted in cancellations and postponements of surgeries, chemotherapy and C-sections, with the government raising its public health alert to the highest level, AFP reported.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>


South Korea's Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said on Thursday (Feb 29) that the government was seeking to hold its first talks with striking doctors as a deadline loomed for them to return to work or risk prosecution.

South Korea's Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo said on Thursday (Feb 29) that the government was seeking to hold its first talks with striking doctors as a deadline loomed for them to return to work or risk prosecution. According to a report by the news agency AFP, Park said, "I sent a text message asking (doctor representatives) to meet up... I have to actually go to the location today to see how many people will attend." Nearly 10,000 doctors handed in notice and walked off the job last week to protest the government's plan to sharply increase medical school admissions to cope with shortages and an ageing society. Also read | Explained: Proposed reforms that have led South Korea’s doctors to walk out Striking doctors have said that the plan would affect the quality of service. An ultimatum to doctors As per South Korean law, doctors are not allowed to strike. AFP reported that the government threatened to arrest and suspend the medical licences of those who did not return to work by Thursday. In an interview with a radio station, Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said that if doctors returned by the end of Thursday, "we will not hold them accountable." Cho said that some of the doctors who joined the strikes subsequently returned to their hospitals. However, a full-scale return had not yet materialised, he said, adding, "As today is the last day of the return, I implore them to do so for the patients." Also watch | South Korea empowers nurses as doctors' strike continues × The health minister further said the government was committed to its reform plan, which would increase medical school admissions by 65 per cent, citing shortages of health professionals and a looming demographic crisis. Govt accused of intimidation On Wednesday, the Korean Medical Association (KMA)- a prominent doctors' group, accused the government of attempting to resolve the issue with threats rather than dialogue. Addressing a press conference, KMA spokesperson Joo Soo-ho said, "It is disheartening to witness the government's excessive accusations and intimidation tactics." "If the government intensifies its punishment after March 1st, there will be no more resident doctors and specialists produced in the future," Joo added. Earlier, the health ministry requested the police to launch an investigation into people connected to the walkout, including five linked to the KMA. The ongoing strikes have resulted in cancellations and postponements of surgeries, chemotherapy and C-sections, with the government raising its public health alert to the highest level, AFP reported. (With inputs from agencies)

Striking South Korean doctors face threat of licence cancellation amid prospects of talks

doctors-strike-in-south-korea

Doctors' Strike In South Korea, News on Doctors' Strike In South Korea, stories on Doctors' Strike In South Korea, articles on Doctors' Strike In South Korea, Doctors' Strike In South Korea stories at Wion, Doctors' Strike In South Korea news, Doctors' Strike In South Korea latest news

doctors strike-in-south-korea

South Korea doctors' strike: Will not tolerate walkouts, vows President Yoon

Striking South Korean doctors face threat of licence cancellation amid prospects of talks