South Korea says it will suspend the licenses of striking doctors starting next week

By The Associated Press on March 20, 2024.

Doctors stage a rally against the government's medical policy in Seoul, South Korea, Sunday, March. 3, 2024. South Korea's government expressed deep regret over the news that some senior doctors could join the protracted walkouts by thousands of junior doctors, saying Tuesday, March 12, the people wonâ€™t understand another collective action that threatens the lives of patients.(AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) – South Korea’s government says it will start suspending the licenses of striking junior doctors next week.

Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo made the comments during a briefing Thursday as he repeated demands for the doctors to return to work immediately.

More than 90% of the country’s 13,000 doctors-in-training have been on strike for about a month to protest the government’s plan to sharply increase medical school admissions.

Their strikes have caused hundreds of cancelled surgeries and other treatments at hospitals.