In a notable policy shift, South Korea has decided to withdraw from its plan to suspend the licenses of striking trainee doctors. This decision was announced by the Medical Action Central Accident Management Department as a measure to counter the nation’s ongoing shortage of medical professionals. You can view the official press release here.
The South Korean government had initially set a March 1, 2024 deadline for medical trainees to return to their duties or face prosecution or license revocation. This stern approach was intended to address the considerable disruptions caused by the strike, especially given that trainees make up approximately 40 percent of hospital staff in the country. Despite the threats, only eight percent of trainee doctors returned to work at 210 teaching hospitals. The government plans to have all training hospitals fully operational by July 22, with non-returning trainees expected to resign by July 15.
Government officials, including Cho Kyoo-Hong, acknowledged the potential criticisms stemming from the perceived inconsistency in handling past strikes. However, they emphasized that the primary objective behind retracting the license suspension plan is to ensure the treatment of critically ill and emergency patients, as well as maintain the continuity of medical training. The enrollment cap for medical schools will remain at its current level of 3,058 places.
The backdrop to these developments includes significant protests from medical interns and residents earlier in the year. These protests were driven by discontent regarding a government initiative aiming to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 places starting in 2025. The protesting doctors argued that the focus should be on improving working conditions and pay rather than merely increasing the number of admissions. For more detailed reports, click here.
The prolonged strike has not only led to considerable disruptions in hospital services but also provoked public outcry. On July 4, 2024, South Korean patients held protests urging an end to the strike, with some even alleging that the labor action has had fatal consequences for their relatives. Coverage of these protests can be found here.
South Korea faces a concerning doctor-to-patient ratio, which the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) reports as the lowest among economically developed countries. The government’s strategy to increase medical school admissions was part of an effort to address this issue, particularly in underserved rural areas and less lucrative medical specialties like pediatrics and emergency medicine.
Moving forward, Cho Kyoo-Hong has called upon trainee doctors to engage in discussions about working conditions and the proposed changes to medical school admissions. Notably, the Ministry of Health and Welfare has announced that the Residents Act will be implemented in 2026, granting returning residents special privileges, including reduced working hours. Further information is available on the Ministry’s official website.