South Korea: President Yoon Suk-yeol denounces a “cartel” of doctors against reforms

This Monday, April 1, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol denounced a “

 cartel 

” of doctors opposed to health reforms, emphasizing the government's desire to continue its action despite the doctors' strike, as the crucial elections.

At Seoul National University Hospital, South Korea, Thursday February 29, 2024 (illustrative image). © Ahn Young-joon / AP

By: RFI with AFP

Advertisement

Read more

To better combat shortages of practitioners and prepare for the rapid aging of the population, the South Korean government wants to increase by 2,000 the number of admissions to medical schools from the year 2025. But doctors claim that these changes will harm the quality of services and have therefore been on strike for more than a month.

“ 

Doctors’ Cartel

 ”

South Korea

's hospitals

were forced to cancel major treatments and surgeries after thousands of interns stopped working on Feb. 20, 2024, to protest planned reforms. The government persists and has threatened the striking doctors with legal action.

The failure of previous governments to increase admissions to medical schools has "

strengthened the doctors' cartel

 ", President

Yoon Suk-yeol

thundered in a televised speech. “ 

We cannot repeat the same mistake 

,” added the South Korean head of state. “

The figure of 2,000 admissions is not a coincidence. We have thoroughly reviewed relevant statistics and studies, as well as the current and future health situation

 ,” Mr. Yoon also said. An increase which, according to him, will not even meet the growing demand outside the capital.

Crucial election

South Koreans will vote next week in a crucial legislative election, in which Mr Yoon's party will attempt to regain its majority in parliament. Although public opinion initially supported the government's reforms in the face of the doctors' strike, the latest polls show a change in mood. Nearly 60% of people questioned in a poll for the daily

Dong-A Ilbo

believe that the government must adjust the scale and timetable of its reform.

Read alsoSouth Korea: the doctors' strike is growing, patients are worried

Newsletter

Receive all the international news directly in your inbox

I subscribe

Follow all the international news by downloading the RFI application

Share :

Continue reading on the same themes:

  • South Korea

  • Health and medicine

  • Social issues

  • Yoon Suk-yeol

  • Employment and Work