Highlights: Three weeks after the start of the doctors' strike in South Korea, the government is implementing its threats against the strikers. The strikers risk a one-year deregistration, three years in prison or a 20,000 euro fine for not returning to work. Hospital directors have called for an end to the movement and medical schools have announced that they are in favor of the government's reform. The government is playing for time and has announced that it does not wish to negotiate. Despite these sanctions, medical interns wish to continue their movement and denounce methods unworthy of a democracy.

Three weeks after the start of the doctors' strike in South Korea, the government is implementing its threats against the strikers. The Ministry of Health has filed a complaint against…

Interns' strikes in South Korea: young striking doctors sanctioned

Three weeks after the start of the doctors' strike in South Korea, the government is implementing its threats against the strikers.

The Ministry of Health filed a complaint against the leaders of the movement.

The latter could be removed from the profession.

Doctors take part in a rally to protest government plans to increase medical school admissions in Seoul, South Korea, March 3, 2024. © Kim Hong-Ji/Reuters

By: RFI with AFP

With our correspondent in Seoul,

Celio Fioretti

South Korea

, it's a never-ending standoff.

In the coming days, some

medical interns

who joined the strike will receive a letter from the Ministry of Health in their mailbox, with a notification of medical license suspension inside.

This drastic measure initially only concerns the leaders of the strike movement which resulted in nearly 9,000 interns leaving their posts.

South Korean police summoned a doctor for questioning on Wednesday, the first as part of a huge strike by interns to protest a reform of medical studies.

Faced with the stagnation of social conflict, the government reacted firmly.

The strikers risk a one-year deregistration, three years in prison or a 20,000 euro fine for not returning to work.

Strikers increasingly isolated

Despite these sanctions, medical interns wish

to continue their movement

and denounce methods unworthy of a democracy.

The movement, which seriously disrupts the operation of hospitals, has led the government to raise its public health alert to its highest level.

Already very unpopular, the strikers are increasingly isolated.

Hospital directors have called for an end to the movement and medical schools have announced that they are in favor of the government's reform which plans to add 2,000 places to the numerus clausus next year.

The government is playing for time and has announced that it does not wish to negotiate.

Interns' strikes in South Korea: young striking doctors sanctioned

Interns' strikes in South Korea: young striking doctors sanctioned

Strikers increasingly isolated

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