More than 90% of South Korea's 13,000 junior doctors have submitted mass resignations since February 20 (Getty)
The South Korean Ministry of Health said on Friday that the government's ongoing steps for medical reform are in the interest of the people and cannot be negotiated. This means rejecting the medical community's call to amend the state's plan to significantly increase the number of people enrolled in medical school.
More than 90% of South Korea's 13,000 junior doctors have submitted mass resignations since February 20, in protest against the government's decision to increase the number of medical students by 2,000 from the current number of 3,058, starting next year, according to the news agency. Yonhap.
“The government will not back down from the decision to proceed with the reform that a majority of people want after negotiations with a certain group,” Second Deputy Health Minister Park Min-soo said at a regular press briefing.
The Deputy Minister stressed that the plan to increase medical students was taken after “holding more than 130 rounds of opinion-gathering sessions” and the plan would not be withdrawn “without reasonable grounds.”
"The government will not repeat the unfortunate history of surrendering to a certain professional group. We will adhere to the principle of the rule of law, stand by the people, and finish medical reform," Park said.
"Sol" says that increasing the number of students enrolled in medical colleges aims to fill the shortage in medical staff.
Source: German