Healthcare Politics News

South Korea Initiates Legal Action Against Striking Doctors

South Korea's health minister announced plans to inspect hospitals and take legal action against trainee doctors who have continued their walkout over government plans to increase medical school admissions, despite warnings of penalties including suspension of medical licenses and fines. The government aims to suspend the medical licenses of around 7,000 protesting doctors. The protesting doctors argue that the government should address pay and working conditions before increasing the number of physicians, while the government insists that the plan to boost medical school admissions is necessary in a rapidly aging society with a low doctor-to-patient ratio. The standoff has led to concerns among patients and strained medical services, with little sign of resolution as both sides remain firm in their positions.