South Korea's Medical Reform Plan: Medical Professors to launch indefinite walkout from July 12

Seoul: A group of medical professors at three South Korea University-affiliated hospitals has announced plans to launch an indefinite voluntary walkout later this month. The move, scheduled to begin on July 12, will exclude the operation of emergency rooms and intensive care units.

This action comes amidst a prolonged standoff between doctors and the government regarding its medical reform plan. Despite facing significant resistance from doctors, the government approved a quota increase of approximately 1,500 students for medical schools in May to tackle the shortage of doctors. 

The emergency committee of the professors serving as senior doctors at the university announced the walkout starting July 12, excluding the operation of emergency rooms and intensive care units, calling for the government to "withdraw its pressure on medical students and trainee doctors" and engage in dialogue, Yonhap news agency reported.

According to the IANS report, "The medical community sought to launch a dialogue by offering solutions and compromises, but the government has flatly ignored all and abused its administrative orders," the committee said in a statement.

Senior doctors at Asan Medical Center are also anticipated to launch a one-week walkout starting Thursday.

Despite strong opposition from doctors, the government finalised an admissions quota hike of some 1,500 students for medical schools in May to address the shortage of doctors.

Last month, the government asked hospitals to swiftly accept the resignations of trainee doctors who have left their worksites in protest of the government's medical reform, in an apparent move to appease the junior doctors.

About 12,000 trainee doctors have left their jobs since late February to protest against a hike in the number of medical students. In a punitive step, the government ordered hospitals not to accept the resignations of trainee doctors to prevent them from seeking jobs at other clinics.

Last week, a committee formed by the medical community to navigate joint responses to its monthslong standoff with the government over the medical reform plan, decided to convene a nationwide debate on July 26 regarding the government's medical reform, news agency IANS reported.