South Korea Threatens to Suspend Striking Doctors' Licenses Amid Healthcare Standoff

Approximately 9,000 medical interns and residents in South Korea have been on strike for two weeks. The doctors are protesting against the government's plans to increase medical school admissions. This action has resulted in hundreds of canceled surgeries and treatments. In response, the government has begun steps to suspend their licenses for at least three months. Thirteen doctors have publicly announced their participation in the walkout, and the health ministry has posted their license numbers and hospitals. The striking doctors represent a fraction of South Korea's 140,000 doctors. There have been massive anti-government rallies held by the doctors, with some reports stating that 10,000 junior doctors have quit and stopped working. The protestors have defied the government's February 29 deadline to return to work or face legal action, wearing black masks and carrying signs that read "We oppose the medical education admissions increase."