Senior Doctors in South Korea Escalate Strike, Threatening Resignations

The dispute over the government's medical school admission plan deepens, with senior doctors joining trainee protests and threatening to resign.

Senior doctors at dozens of hospitals in South Korea plan to submit their resignations in support of medical interns and residents striking against the government's plan to increase medical school admissions.
The doctors' actions aim to protest the government's proposal to boost medical school admissions by two-thirds, citing concerns over the quality of medical education and healthcare services.
President Yoon Suk Yeol has called for dialogue while suggesting a softening of punitive measures against striking doctors, amid concerns over hospital operations and public health.
Public surveys show majority support for the government's initiative to address doctor shortages, especially in rural areas, despite criticism from the medical community.
The government and medical professionals are urged to engage in constructive consultations to resolve the dispute, with the potential impact on upcoming parliamentary elections noted.