Approximately 9,000 medical interns and residents have been on strike since last week, protesting against a government proposal to increase medical school admissions by 65 per cent. This strike has significantly disrupted hospital operations, leading to numerous cancellations of surgeries and treatments.

Government officials argued that the increase in medical school admissions is essential to address the challenges posed by South Korea's rapidly ageing population, which currently faces a shortage of doctors compared to other developed nations.

However, the protesting doctors contend that the plan is impractical, arguing that universities lack the capacity to accommodate the influx of new students. They also expressed concerns that the proposal would not alleviate shortages in critical but low-paying medical fields such as peadiatrics and emergency medicine.

Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo stated that protesting doctors who return to work by the end of February will not face disciplinary action or be held responsible for damages caused by the strike. However, those who fail to meet the deadline could face a minimum three-month suspension of their medical licenses and potential legal consequences.

South Korea's medical law empowers the government to issue back-to-work orders to medical personnel in cases of perceived threats to public health. Non-compliance with such orders can lead to severe penalties, including imprisonment, fines, and revocation of medical licenses.

The Korea Medical Association, representing approximately 140,000 doctors in South Korea, has expressed support for the striking doctors but has not yet decided whether to join the walkouts. Senior doctors have also voiced opposition to the government's recruitment plan through rallies.

The government's plan to increase medical student admissions aims to add up to 10,000 doctors by 2035. While public opinion largely favours the government's initiative, critics speculate that opposition from doctors, who enjoy high incomes, stems from concerns about increased competition and reduced earnings.

Striking doctors raised concerns about potential overtreatment by doctors facing heightened competition, which could lead to increased public medical expenses.