RALLY ON SUNDAYÂ
South Korea’s government is pushing to admit 2,000 more students to medical schools annually from next year to address what it calls one of the lowest doctor-to-population ratios among developed nations.
Doctors fear the reform will erode the quality of service and medical education, but proponents accuse medics of trying to safeguard their salaries and social status.
Junior doctors argue that the healthcare system’s over-reliance on trainees is unreasonable and unfair.
Polling shows up to 75 per cent of the public support the reforms.
President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has taken a hard line on the striking doctors, has seen his approval ratings tick up.
With legislative elections in April, and Yoon’s party looking to win back a parliamentary majority, the government is unlikely to compromise quickly, analysts said.
The KMA has accused the government of using “intimidation tactics” to try to force doctors back to work, and said it was turning the country into a “totalitarian state”.
The medical association will hold a rally in Seoul on Sunday, with local reports saying around 25,000 people are expected to join.
Source: CNA
