JAKARTA - South Korean authorities said on Monday they had canceled the suspension of the strike's intern's license, offering concessions to end a months-long strike triggered by the government's decision to increase the number of admissions of medical students.
Thousands of interns, which include interns and resident doctors, launched a strike in February, forcing large hospitals to reduce non-emergency services and refuse patients in emergency rooms.
Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said the government had decided to cancel the suspension of the strike's doctor's permit, either they return to work or not.
Minister Cho said the decision to lift the threat of punitive action was necessary as it ended the current shortage of medical services "more urgently".
Two-thirds of the country's resident and intern doctor strike to protest plans to increase the number of students received in medical schools every year by 2,000, in an effort to address what the government says is a shortage of doctors.
The young doctors who rallied said the government must first address the problem of salary and work conditions, before trying to increase the number of doctors.
Menteri Cho menambahkan, pemerintah akan membangun sistem medis yang "berlanjutan" yang tidak tergantung pada pekerjaan berlebih oleh dokter interni.
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"Party doctors, don't hesitate anymore, and dare to decide. The government will ensure that you, our valuable resources who have chosen important medical care even in difficult circumstances, can focus on training without worrying," Minister Cho told a briefing.
Minister Cho also asked interns to return and join the dialogue to discuss their working conditions as well as the quota for admission of medical colleges for 2026 and beyond.
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