Why South Korea’s doctors are refusing to see patients

The resignation of thousands of striking junior and trainee doctors in South Korea in response to a government initiative to increase medical student admissions has left the healthcare system in disarray.

The government said on Monday it was ready to take legal action against the striking trainee doctors after a prior ultimatum failed to break the deadlock.

About 70 per cent of the country’s junior and trainee doctors, totalling around 9,000, have been on strike since 20 February, disrupting medical services and emergency departments.

South Korea has one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios among major economies and recently the government proposed to add 2,000 slots to the current annual quota of 3,000 medical students.

The plan was immediately criticised by doctors, who took to the streets to protest with signs that read “end of healthcare.” The striking doctors argue this expansion won’t solve the actual shortages in certain specialities, where conditions and pay are poor, and could degrade medical service quality.

The government had previously , including the possibility of having their