Doctor crisis continues in South Korea: Government begins sanctions!
Intern doctors in South Korea continue their strike despite threats. The South Korean Ministry of Health announced that it has begun procedures to suspend the licenses of approximately 7,000 intern doctors who defied the government's return-to-work order.
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South Korea's more than 9,000 intern doctors working in teaching hospitals began a strike on February 20 to protest the government's plan to admit more medical students to universities.
South Korean Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong described the doctors' walkout as "illegal," stating, "The government's stance against the collective actions of intern doctors is clear."
While the government gave doctors participating in the strike until February 29 to return to work, it was stated that doctors who did not return to their duties could face up to 1 year of medical license revocation, 3 years in prison, or a fine of 30 million won (approximately 705 thousand lira).