Thousands of South Korean junior doctors have walked off the job to protest against medical training reforms, causing healthcare chaos.

The government is refusing to back down on its plans but has sought talks with doctors.

AFP looks at what we know:

What is the strike about?

Nearly 10,000 junior doctors -- about 80 per cent of the trainee workforce -- handed in their notices and downed tools last week to protest against government plans to sharply increase medical school admissions to cope with shortages and an ageing society.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-doctors-strike-seoul-seeks-to-hold-talks-with-striking-doctors-694987">Striking South Korean doctors face threat of licence cancellation amid prospects of talks</a>

They say the plan would hurt the quality of service and the Korean Medical Association (KMA) has slammed the government's intimidation tactics.

Proponents of the reform say doctors are mainly concerned the changes could erode their salaries and social status.

The government says South Korea has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios among developed countries.

How has the walkout affected hospitals?

Up to half of surgeries have been cancelled in major hospitals since last week, local media has reported.

Most hospitals stopped offering non-urgent walk-in appointments and patients have described long waits for emergency care, with some being repeatedly turned away even in urgent situations.

Senior doctors are still working but local media has reported they will stage a rally this weekend. Some 25,000 people are expected to join, local reports say.

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>

South Korean media reported on Thursday (Feb 29) that a woman suffered a miscarriage after being turned away from hospitals, over a birth canal issue, because no doctors were available.

The government is also investigating a case where an elderly woman died of a heart attack in an ambulance after struggling to find a hospital.

What is the public saying?

Polling shows up to 75 per cent of the public support the reforms and President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has taken a hard line on the striking doctors, has seen his approval ratings tick up.

The Korea Severe Disease Association, a patients' group, condemned both the government and the KMA over the strikes.

Lee Hye-min, a 19-year-old university student, told AFP that her mother needed regular medical treatment.

"My mother has kidney problems and I remember her feeling very anxious as she went to the hospital. She was worried her doctors would go on strike, too," Lee said.&nbsp;

Watch |&nbsp;South Korea Doctors' Protest: Hundreds of senior doctors rally near Presidential office

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"I think (the strike) is too extreme. There are patients still in hospital waiting for surgery who have been completely disregarded for the personal interests of doctors."

However, Noh Hye-sueng, 31, said the reforms would reduce the quality of medical care.

"When they expand the number of medical students, the new students won't be as reliable because schools will have to accept anyone just to fill the quota," she said.

Is there any hope of compromise?

With legislative elections coming in April, when Yoon's party hopes to win back a parliamentary majority, the government is unlikely to compromise quickly, analysts say.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-trainee-doctors-stop-work-to-protest-medical-reforms-692126" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-trainee-doctors-stop-work-to-protest-medical-reforms-692126&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjqg-_K0dCEAxUhxTgGHdoUA9AQFnoECAUQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw2tiNjthDtL7eU9pfd4zTjq" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-trainee-doctors-stop-work-to-protest-medical-reforms-692126" target="_blank">South Korean&nbsp;trainee&nbsp;doctors&nbsp;stop work to protest medical reforms</a>

The Korea Association of Medical Colleges has proposed what it calls a compromise: an 11 per cent increase in medical school admissions, compared with the government's planned 65 per cent increase.

The government rejected the offer.

In an attempt to convince the medics to return to hospitals by a Thursday (Feb 29) deadline, after which they risk legal action, a health minister met a group of trainee doctors behind closed doors.

What about nurses?

Nurses are picking up the slack. Park Na-rae, a nurse and union member at Seoul National University Hospital, told AFP she and her colleagues were taking on tasks previously carried out by resident doctors despite fears over their level of legal protection.

The government offered new legal protections to nurses to cover grey areas&nbsp;where it was not clear if a doctor was required.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ctorig="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-declares-severe-health-alert-amid-doctors-strike-693175" data-cturl="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&amp;cx=006054055338965708568:09spwrlibei&amp;q=https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-declares-severe-health-alert-amid-doctors-strike-693175&amp;sa=U&amp;ved=2ahUKEwjqg-_K0dCEAxUhxTgGHdoUA9AQFnoECAYQAg&amp;usg=AOvVaw3T9xrcsO0Mb9qcZqanej7B" dir="ltr" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-declares-severe-health-alert-amid-doctors-strike-693175" target="_blank">South Korea&nbsp;declares 'severe' health alert amid&nbsp;doctors' strike</a>

Many nurses are critical of the walkouts.

Lee Hye-ok, a nurse at one of the largest hospitals in South Korea, said nurses had previously gone on strike but had done so within the bounds of the law, taking measures to minimise the impact on patients.

"An irresponsible departure like this is nothing more than selfishness that uses patients' lives as a bargaining chip, even if professors are still remaining at hospitals."

Thousands of South Korean junior doctors have walked off the job to protest against medical training reforms, causing healthcare chaos. The government is refusing to back down on its plans but has sought talks with doctors.

Thousands of South Korean junior doctors have walked off the job to protest against medical training reforms, causing healthcare chaos. The government is refusing to back down on its plans but has sought talks with doctors. AFP looks at what we know: What is the strike about? Nearly 10,000 junior doctors -- about 80 per cent of the trainee workforce -- handed in their notices and downed tools last week to protest against government plans to sharply increase medical school admissions to cope with shortages and an ageing society. Also read: Striking South Korean doctors face threat of licence cancellation amid prospects of talks They say the plan would hurt the quality of service and the Korean Medical Association (KMA) has slammed the government's intimidation tactics. Proponents of the reform say doctors are mainly concerned the changes could erode their salaries and social status. The government says South Korea has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios among developed countries. How has the walkout affected hospitals? Up to half of surgeries have been cancelled in major hospitals since last week, local media has reported. Most hospitals stopped offering non-urgent walk-in appointments and patients have described long waits for emergency care, with some being repeatedly turned away even in urgent situations. Senior doctors are still working but local media has reported they will stage a rally this weekend. Some 25,000 people are expected to join, local reports say. Also read | Explained: Proposed reforms that have led South Korea’s doctors to walk out South Korean media reported on Thursday (Feb 29) that a woman suffered a miscarriage after being turned away from hospitals, over a birth canal issue, because no doctors were available. The government is also investigating a case where an elderly woman died of a heart attack in an ambulance after struggling to find a hospital. What is the public saying? Polling shows up to 75 per cent of the public support the reforms and President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has taken a hard line on the striking doctors, has seen his approval ratings tick up. The Korea Severe Disease Association, a patients' group, condemned both the government and the KMA over the strikes. Lee Hye-min, a 19-year-old university student, told AFP that her mother needed regular medical treatment. "My mother has kidney problems and I remember her feeling very anxious as she went to the hospital. She was worried her doctors would go on strike, too," Lee said. Watch | South Korea Doctors' Protest: Hundreds of senior doctors rally near Presidential office × "I think (the strike) is too extreme. There are patients still in hospital waiting for surgery who have been completely disregarded for the personal interests of doctors." However, Noh Hye-sueng, 31, said the reforms would reduce the quality of medical care. "When they expand the number of medical students, the new students won't be as reliable because schools will have to accept anyone just to fill the quota," she said. Is there any hope of compromise? With legislative elections coming in April, when Yoon's party hopes to win back a parliamentary majority, the government is unlikely to compromise quickly, analysts say. Also read: South Korean trainee doctors stop work to protest medical reforms The Korea Association of Medical Colleges has proposed what it calls a compromise: an 11 per cent increase in medical school admissions, compared with the government's planned 65 per cent increase. The government rejected the offer. In an attempt to convince the medics to return to hospitals by a Thursday (Feb 29) deadline, after which they risk legal action, a health minister met a group of trainee doctors behind closed doors. What about nurses? Nurses are picking up the slack. Park Na-rae, a nurse and union member at Seoul National University Hospital, told AFP she and her colleagues were taking on tasks previously carried out by resident doctors despite fears over their level of legal protection. The government offered new legal protections to nurses to cover grey areas where it was not clear if a doctor was required. Also read: South Korea declares 'severe' health alert amid doctors' strike Many nurses are critical of the walkouts. Lee Hye-ok, a nurse at one of the largest hospitals in South Korea, said nurses had previously gone on strike but had done so within the bounds of the law, taking measures to minimise the impact on patients. "An irresponsible departure like this is nothing more than selfishness that uses patients' lives as a bargaining chip, even if professors are still remaining at hospitals."

What's happening in S. Korean hospitals as doctors strike?

A South Korean doctors' association has accused the government of employing intimidation tactics on Wednesday (Feb 28), just before the imminent deadline for almost 10,000 protesting trainee medical professionals to either return to work or face consequences.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/legal-protection-granted-for-south-korean-nurses-to-conduct-certain-medical-procedures-694367">Legal protection granted for South Korean nurses to conduct certain medical procedures</a>

Official data indicates that 9,937 junior doctors, constituting 80.8 per cent of the trainee workforce, have resigned and gone on strike at 99 general hospitals to protest government plans to significantly augment medical school admissions in response to shortages and an ageing population.

Despite broad public support for the reforms, the government has set a Thursday (March 29) deadline for doctors to resume their duties, cautioning legal action, including prosecution and license suspension, for those who defy the order.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-korea-declares-severe-health-alert-amid-doctors-strike-693175">South Korea declares 'severe' health alert amid doctors' strike</a>

A spokesperson for the Korean Medical Association (KMA), a prominent group representing senior doctors, criticised the government on Wednesday for attempting to address the matter through threats rather than dialogue.

"It is disheartening to witness the government's excessive accusations and intimidation tactics," remarked spokesman Joo Soo-ho to reporters. "If the government intensifies its punishment after March 1st, there will be no more resident doctors and specialists produced in the future."

The health ministry requested on Tuesday (Feb 27) that the police initiate an investigation into individuals associated with the walkout, including five connected to the KMA.

The widespread work stoppage has led to the cancellation and postponement of surgeries, chemotherapy and C-sections, prompting the government to elevate its public health alert to the highest level.

To ensure compliance, authorities have personally delivered return orders to the homes of certain trainee doctors, preventing them from evading them, for example, by turning off their phones to avoid receiving them via text message.

Also read&nbsp;|&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>

Seoul contends that it has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios among developed countries, and the government is pushing for the admission of an additional 2,000 students to medical schools annually, starting next year.

Doctors strongly oppose the government's plan, arguing that it would compromise the quality of service. However, supporters of the reform assert that doctors are primarily concerned about potential reductions in their salaries and social status.

Polls indicate that up to 75 per cent of the South Korean public supports the increase in medical school admissions, particularly in remote areas where access to quality healthcare is a challenge.

Watch:&nbsp;South Korea doctors' protest: Government warn doctors to return to work or face legal action

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The South Korean health ministry announced on Tuesday (Feb 27) that nurses are now granted legal protection to perform certain medical procedures typically handled by doctors.

Earlier, South Korea raised its public health alert to the highest level on February 23, declaring a health services crisis attributed to the mass resignation of thousands of doctors protesting proposed medical reforms.

The doctors argue that the government should address existing issues before increasing the number of physicians.

(With inputs from agencies)

A South Korean doctors' association has accused the government of employing intimidation tactics on Wednesday (Feb 28), just before the imminent deadline for almost 10,000 protesting trainee medical professionals to either return to work or face consequences.

A South Korean doctors' association has accused the government of employing intimidation tactics on Wednesday (Feb 28), just before the imminent deadline for almost 10,000 protesting trainee medical professionals to either return to work or face consequences. Also read: Legal protection granted for South Korean nurses to conduct certain medical procedures Official data indicates that 9,937 junior doctors, constituting 80.8 per cent of the trainee workforce, have resigned and gone on strike at 99 general hospitals to protest government plans to significantly augment medical school admissions in response to shortages and an ageing population. Despite broad public support for the reforms, the government has set a Thursday (March 29) deadline for doctors to resume their duties, cautioning legal action, including prosecution and license suspension, for those who defy the order. Also read: South Korea declares 'severe' health alert amid doctors' strike A spokesperson for the Korean Medical Association (KMA), a prominent group representing senior doctors, criticised the government on Wednesday for attempting to address the matter through threats rather than dialogue. "It is disheartening to witness the government's excessive accusations and intimidation tactics," remarked spokesman Joo Soo-ho to reporters. "If the government intensifies its punishment after March 1st, there will be no more resident doctors and specialists produced in the future." The health ministry requested on Tuesday (Feb 27) that the police initiate an investigation into individuals associated with the walkout, including five connected to the KMA. The widespread work stoppage has led to the cancellation and postponement of surgeries, chemotherapy and C-sections, prompting the government to elevate its public health alert to the highest level. To ensure compliance, authorities have personally delivered return orders to the homes of certain trainee doctors, preventing them from evading them, for example, by turning off their phones to avoid receiving them via text message. Also read | Explained: Proposed reforms that have led South Korea’s doctors to walk out Seoul contends that it has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios among developed countries, and the government is pushing for the admission of an additional 2,000 students to medical schools annually, starting next year. Doctors strongly oppose the government's plan, arguing that it would compromise the quality of service. However, supporters of the reform assert that doctors are primarily concerned about potential reductions in their salaries and social status. Polls indicate that up to 75 per cent of the South Korean public supports the increase in medical school admissions, particularly in remote areas where access to quality healthcare is a challenge. Watch: South Korea doctors' protest: Government warn doctors to return to work or face legal action × The South Korean health ministry announced on Tuesday (Feb 27) that nurses are now granted legal protection to perform certain medical procedures typically handled by doctors. Earlier, South Korea raised its public health alert to the highest level on February 23, declaring a health services crisis attributed to the mass resignation of thousands of doctors protesting proposed medical reforms. The doctors argue that the government should address existing issues before increasing the number of physicians. (With inputs from agencies)

Doctors’ association in South Korea accuses government of ‘intimidation’

The South Korean health ministry announced on Tuesday (Feb 27) that nurses are now granted legal protection to perform certain medical procedures typically handled by doctors.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/south-korea-declares-severe-health-alert-amid-doctors-strike-693175">South Korea declares 'severe' health alert amid doctors' strike</a>

This decision aims to alleviate the strain on hospital staff caused by a recent walkout of trainee doctors.

Following the trainee doctors' protest last week against the government's plan to increase medical school admissions to address a shortage of doctors, nurses expressed concerns about the legal risks and increased workload they now face.

With more than two-thirds of the country's resident and intern doctors resigning from their posts, major hospitals experienced disruptions, including turned-away patients in emergency rooms and cancelled or postponed surgeries and procedures.

Also read&nbsp;|&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>

In response to the situation, the government is expediting efforts to legislate legal protection for doctors, allowing patients to promptly receive compensation for injuries during medical procedures. This measure aims to enable doctors to focus on their work amid the ongoing healthcare crisis.

South Korea raised its public health alert to the highest level on February 23, declaring a health services crisis attributed to the mass resignation of thousands of doctors protesting proposed medical reforms.

The doctors argue that the government should address existing issues before increasing the number of physicians.

WATCH |&nbsp;Why are South Korean trainee doctors on strike?

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Park Min-soo, Seoul's Second Vice Health Minister, earlier revealed that 78.5 per cent of the trainee workforce, comprising over 8,890 junior doctors, has resigned in opposition to the government's plans to significantly boost medical school admissions.&nbsp;

Despite doctors being legally prohibited from striking as essential workers, the government deems the mass resignation illegal, asserting that illegal collective actions that threaten public health cannot be justified for any reason.

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korean-trainee-doctors-stop-work-to-protest-medical-reforms-692126">South Korean trainee doctors stop work to protest medical reforms</a>

This collective action has resulted in the cancellation or postponement of surgeries for cancer patients and C-sections for pregnant women, leading to urgent appeals from patients with severe illnesses for the doctors to resume their duties.

(With inputs from agencies)

The South Korean health ministry announced on Tuesday (Feb 27) that nurses are now granted legal protection to perform certain medical procedures typically handled by doctors.

The South Korean health ministry announced on Tuesday (Feb 27) that nurses are now granted legal protection to perform certain medical procedures typically handled by doctors. Also read: South Korea declares 'severe' health alert amid doctors' strike This decision aims to alleviate the strain on hospital staff caused by a recent walkout of trainee doctors. Following the trainee doctors' protest last week against the government's plan to increase medical school admissions to address a shortage of doctors, nurses expressed concerns about the legal risks and increased workload they now face. With more than two-thirds of the country's resident and intern doctors resigning from their posts, major hospitals experienced disruptions, including turned-away patients in emergency rooms and cancelled or postponed surgeries and procedures. Also read | Explained: Proposed reforms that have led South Korea’s doctors to walk out In response to the situation, the government is expediting efforts to legislate legal protection for doctors, allowing patients to promptly receive compensation for injuries during medical procedures. This measure aims to enable doctors to focus on their work amid the ongoing healthcare crisis. South Korea raised its public health alert to the highest level on February 23, declaring a health services crisis attributed to the mass resignation of thousands of doctors protesting proposed medical reforms. The doctors argue that the government should address existing issues before increasing the number of physicians. WATCH | Why are South Korean trainee doctors on strike? × Park Min-soo, Seoul's Second Vice Health Minister, earlier revealed that 78.5 per cent of the trainee workforce, comprising over 8,890 junior doctors, has resigned in opposition to the government's plans to significantly boost medical school admissions. Despite doctors being legally prohibited from striking as essential workers, the government deems the mass resignation illegal, asserting that illegal collective actions that threaten public health cannot be justified for any reason. Also Read | South Korean trainee doctors stop work to protest medical reforms This collective action has resulted in the cancellation or postponement of surgeries for cancer patients and C-sections for pregnant women, leading to urgent appeals from patients with severe illnesses for the doctors to resume their duties. (With inputs from agencies)

Legal protection granted for South Korean nurses to conduct certain medical procedures

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