South Korea: Govt orders protesting doctors back to work

The South Korean government has publicly ordered 13 doctors — at least a few of whom had been vocal about the about 9,000 doctors who had gone on strike over a plan to restructure the health system — to report back to work or face consequences.

Following police raids on Friday, a public holiday in South Korea, which saw leaders of a doctor’s union raided, the public legal notice is the most recent indication of the government’s persistent strong approach toward trainee doctors taking part in the walkout or criticizing the reform proposal.

Thirteen doctors’ license numbers and facilities were listed by the health ministry on its website, along with an order for them to resume work or risk having their licenses revoked or facing criminal charges.

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The names of the doctors were partially withheld, but at least a few seemed to be medical residents, including Park Dan, the head of the Korea Interns and Residents Association, who had been particularly outspoken in their criticism of the administration and throughout the walkout.

On Friday, authorities intensified their efforts to put a stop to the walkout by sending South Korean police on a raid that targeted Korean Medical Association officials.

According to data from the health ministry, almost two-thirds of the trainee doctors, or roughly 9,000, had disregarded the government’s deadline of Thursday to return to work or face penalties.

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Physicians are organizing a large-scale protest on Sunday against the government’s proposal to add 2,000 more seats to medical schools beginning in 2025 in an attempt to address what it claims is a physician shortage in one of the fastest-aging nations in the world.

(With agency inputs)