South Korea said on Monday it would drop a plan to suspend the licenses of striking trainee doctors, offering a concession to end a months-long walkout prompted by the government's decision to increase medical school admissions.

Thousands of trainee doctors, which include medical interns and resident doctors, walked off the job in February, forcing major hospitals to cut back non-emergency services and turn back patients at emergency rooms.

Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said the government had decided not to suspend the licenses of the striking doctors, whether they return to work or not.

Cho said the decision to drop its threat of punitive action was necessary because ending the current shortage in medical services is "more urgent".

Two-thirds of the country's residents and intern doctors have walked off the job to protest a plan to raise the number of students admitted to medical school each year by 2,000 in a bid to address what the government says is a shortage of doctors.

The young doctors who are protesting say the government should first address pay and working conditions before trying to increase the number of physicians.

Cho added that the government would build a "sustainable" medical system that does not rely on excessive work by trainee doctors.

"Trainee doctors, do not hesitate any longer, and take out courage to decide. The government will make sure you, our previous resources who have chosen essential medical care even under difficult circumstances, can focus on training without worry," Cho said at a briefing.

The minister also called on the trainee doctors to return and join dialogue to discuss their working conditions as well as the medical college admission quota for 2026 and beyond.

South Korea said on Monday it would drop a plan to suspend the licenses of striking trainee doctors, offering a concession to end a months-long walkout prompted by the government's decision to increase medical school admissions.

South Korea said on Monday it would drop a plan to suspend the licenses of striking trainee doctors, offering a concession to end a months-long walkout prompted by the government's decision to increase medical school admissions. Thousands of trainee doctors, which include medical interns and resident doctors, walked off the job in February, forcing major hospitals to cut back non-emergency services and turn back patients at emergency rooms. Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said the government had decided not to suspend the licenses of the striking doctors, whether they return to work or not. Cho said the decision to drop its threat of punitive action was necessary because ending the current shortage in medical services is "more urgent". Two-thirds of the country's residents and intern doctors have walked off the job to protest a plan to raise the number of students admitted to medical school each year by 2,000 in a bid to address what the government says is a shortage of doctors. The young doctors who are protesting say the government should first address pay and working conditions before trying to increase the number of physicians. Cho added that the government would build a "sustainable" medical system that does not rely on excessive work by trainee doctors. "Trainee doctors, do not hesitate any longer, and take out courage to decide. The government will make sure you, our previous resources who have chosen essential medical care even under difficult circumstances, can focus on training without worry," Cho said at a briefing. The minister also called on the trainee doctors to return and join dialogue to discuss their working conditions as well as the medical college admission quota for 2026 and beyond.

South Korea drops plan to suspend licenses of striking doctors

Medical professors in South Korea on Monday (Mar 25) announced that they would reduce their practice hours in solidarity with trainee doctors who have been on strike for over a month.&nbsp;

The trainee doctors have been protesting a government plan to increase medical school admissions.

<h2>A cause of concern</h2>

Kim Chang-soo, president of the Medical Professors Association of Korea, expressed concern about the increasing medical school admissions and said it would negatively impact medical education and potentially lead to the collapse of the country's healthcare system.&nbsp;

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"It is clear that increasing medical school admissions will not only ruin medical school education but cause our country's healthcare system to collapse," said Kim Chang-soo.

He announced that professors will start scaling back outpatient treatment and will only focus on emergency and severely ill patients, while some may even submit their resignations.

"If the punishment against trainee doctors is implemented, the medical professors' voluntary resignation will proceed forth, and our professors will inevitably be even more willing to resign," said&nbsp;Kim Chang-soo.

<h2>Why the government wants to increase medical school admissions&nbsp;</h2>

The nation plans to increase the number of students admitted each year to medical school from 2025.&nbsp;

According to South Korean government increasing medical school admissions is necessary to address a shortage of doctors in one of the world's fastest-ageing societies.&nbsp;

However, critics argue that the focus should be on improving the working conditions of trainee doctors first.

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President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has prioritised healthcare reforms as his signature policy initiatives, has vowed to proceed with the admissions plan despite the strike.&nbsp;

The government has also threatened to suspend the licences of striking doctors. However, President Yoon has urged Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to consider more "flexible measures" in dealing with the situation.

Yoon has also instructed the prime minister to establish a "constructive consultative body" to engage with medical professionals.

<h2>How the strike is affecting South Korea</h2>

As per Reuters, the strike by trainee doctors, which began on February 20, has caused several hospitals to reject patients and delay procedures.&nbsp;

A Gallup poll released on March 15 revealed that public opinion is divided on the government's handling of the situation. While 38 per cent approve of its response to the backlash from doctors and the medical void caused by the strike, 49 per cent disapprove and said "not a good job".

(With inputs from agencies)

Medical professors in South Korea on Monday (Mar 25) announced that they would reduce their practice hours in solidarity with trainee doctors who have been on strike for over a month.

Medical professors in South Korea on Monday (Mar 25) announced that they would reduce their practice hours in solidarity with trainee doctors who have been on strike for over a month. The trainee doctors have been protesting a government plan to increase medical school admissions. A cause of concern Kim Chang-soo, president of the Medical Professors Association of Korea, expressed concern about the increasing medical school admissions and said it would negatively impact medical education and potentially lead to the collapse of the country's healthcare system. Also read | France raises terror alert warning to highest level after Moscow concert attack "It is clear that increasing medical school admissions will not only ruin medical school education but cause our country's healthcare system to collapse," said Kim Chang-soo. He announced that professors will start scaling back outpatient treatment and will only focus on emergency and severely ill patients, while some may even submit their resignations. "If the punishment against trainee doctors is implemented, the medical professors' voluntary resignation will proceed forth, and our professors will inevitably be even more willing to resign," said Kim Chang-soo. Why the government wants to increase medical school admissions The nation plans to increase the number of students admitted each year to medical school from 2025. According to South Korean government increasing medical school admissions is necessary to address a shortage of doctors in one of the world's fastest-ageing societies. However, critics argue that the focus should be on improving the working conditions of trainee doctors first. Also read | Ecuador's youngest mayor Brigitte Garcia found shot dead in car President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has prioritised healthcare reforms as his signature policy initiatives, has vowed to proceed with the admissions plan despite the strike. The government has also threatened to suspend the licences of striking doctors. However, President Yoon has urged Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to consider more "flexible measures" in dealing with the situation. Yoon has also instructed the prime minister to establish a "constructive consultative body" to engage with medical professionals. How the strike is affecting South Korea As per Reuters, the strike by trainee doctors, which began on February 20, has caused several hospitals to reject patients and delay procedures. A Gallup poll released on March 15 revealed that public opinion is divided on the government's handling of the situation. While 38 per cent approve of its response to the backlash from doctors and the medical void caused by the strike, 49 per cent disapprove and said "not a good job". (With inputs from agencies)

South Korean medical professors join trainee doctors' strike against government plan

South Korean government has now announced swift actions to improve the pay and working conditions of young doctors, several doctors had last week gone on strike paralysing the entire health care system.

South Korea to revamp working conditions for young doctors, Seoul announces new measures