S. Korean government publicly orders doctors to get back to work or face penalties

South Korea’s government issues orders to 13 doctors, some vocal about a physician walkout, demanding their return to work or face penalties amid ongoing protests over health system reforms

South Korea’s government late on Friday publicly issued orders to 13 doctors, Some have been vocal about a walkout by around 9,000 physicians protesting a health system reform plan, demanding their return to work or facing penalties.

The government is also increasing pressure on striking doctors by filing a criminal complaint against certain former and current Korean Medical Association (KMA) officials, signaling its readiness to pursue legal measures if the strike persists.

This public legal notice indicates the government’s firm stance toward trainee doctors involved in the walkout or criticizing the reform plan.

This comes after local police conducted raids on officials of a doctor’s association on Friday, which was a public holiday in South Korea.

The health ministry revealed the license numbers and hospitals of the 13 doctors on its website, instructing them to return to work or risk license suspension or criminal charges.

While the names of the doctors were partially redacted, it appeared some were trainee doctors who had been particularly vocal about the walkout and critical of the government.

One such doctor mentioned was Park Dan, the head of the Korea Interns and Residents Association.

Authorities intensified efforts on Friday to end the walkout, with South Korean police conducting a raid targeting officials of the Korean Medical Association.

The government had set Thursday as the deadline for the doctors to return to work or face consequences. However, health ministry data revealed that over two-thirds of the trainee doctors, nearly 9,000, chose to ignore the call to return.

A mass demonstration is planned by doctors on Sunday to protest the government’s plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 starting in 2025. This move addresses a shortage of doctors in one of the world’s fastest-aging societies.

Source: Newsroom

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