In a recent development, South Korea has announced ambitious plans to expand its medical school programs, strategically preparing for potential future crises.

However, this initiative has ignited a storm of discontent among the medical community, with doctors going on mass strikes, plunging both citizens and the government into a state of emergency.

The most recent data highlights South Korea’s predicament, sporting one of the lowest doctor-to-patient ratios among OECD countries, with a mere 2.6 doctors available to treat approximately 1,000 individuals.

In response to this alarming statistic, the South Korean government sought to expand the workforce in the medical sector.

By 2025, they aim to admit an additional 2,000 students to publicly operated medical schools and recruit 1,000 new professors to support the surge in student numbers.

Traditionally, medical education in South Korea has been a privilege reserved for the elite, given the prestigious nature of the medical profession.

Fears have arisen that a rapid expansion of the medical workforce may comprise the quality of both education and patient care, leading to widespread strikes among doctors across the country.

More than 74% of trainee doctors, equivalent to a staggering 9,200 people, have already submitted their resignations.

With an additional 1,600 doctors boycotting their hospital duties, the strain is palpable on both nurses and patients.

Given that patients still require treatment, more nurses are carrying out certain tasks that would otherwise have been done by professional doctors.

The Korean Young Nurses Association urged doctors to halt the strike, as nurses now bear twice the burden and will legally have to take full responsibility should something happen to the patients.

Despite this plea, more doctors are expected to join the strike as key medical associations publicly encourage their members to resist returning to work.

Contrary to what doctors are claiming, data suggests that an increase in the doctor workforce could prove beneficial.

In an open debate held on February 23rd, a government spokesperson claimed that the demand for healthcare will consistently increase, yet the doctor workforce remains inadequately responsive.

South Korean doctors face immense work pressure, handling around 6,100 cases annually - one of the highest numbers globally.

The problem isn’t expected to improve in the near future, as South Korea grapples with a rapidly aging population that will demand additional healthcare to sustain.

Public sentiment seems to lean towards the government, with nearly 80% supporting the expansion of the doctor trainee population, as indicated by a recent survey.

Both the government and doctor associations are maintaining a hardline stance, effectively dragging the situation into a deadlock.

Doctors contend that patient visits, not a lack of doctors, contribute to the perceived shortage.

They advocate for a more measured increase in medical school personnel.

However, the government remains unyielding, rejecting any alterations to the proposed numbers.

Warnings have surfaced that doctors refusing their duties could face legal consequences, highlighting the potential criminality of their strike.

With immediate patient care at stake, the government insists that the doctors’ decision to strike is exacerbating Korea’s healthcare system, underscoring the need for a swift resolution to this impasse.

Alvin Song

Year 11

North London Collegiate School Jeju