On Monday South Korea said that it will cancel the 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 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 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.
Cho said at a briefing, ‘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’.
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