Hospitals in South Korea on high alert as doctors continue protests

The protesting doctors argue that the South Korea government should focus on improving doctors’ pay and reducing workloads.

February 23, 2024

The ongoing protest is causing widespread disruption to hospital services and ‘red alert’ situation across South Korea’s emergency departments. Credit: chrisdorney/Shuttertsock.com.

All the emergency departments across South Korea’s hospitals, except one, are on high alert after trainee doctors’ continued their protests against government reforms to increase medical school admissions.

The protests, that commenced earlier this week, are causing widespread disruption to hospital services in the country, as almost two-thirds of the country’s trainee doctors have participated in the walkout.

They have also resulted in ‘red alert’ situation across the country’s emergency departments, with many hospitals forced to turn away patients and cancel procedures.

South Korea’s health ministry confirmed that over 8,400 doctors, representing about 64% of all resident and intern doctors in the country, have joined the strike, a Reuters report noted.

The government has responded with threats of arrest for those leading the walkout.

The trainee doctors are protesting in response to the government’s decision to increase the medical school admissions to improve the healthcare system.