Govt. takes steps to suspend licenses of some 7,000 defiant trainee doctors
Korea HeraldFEB 2024
SKorea to Begin Suspending Licenses of Striking Doctors
Image copyright: Chung Sung-Jung/Staff/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Junior doctors have legitimate reasons to protest, and the government would be wise to listen to them. Despite an aging population, the South Korean medical system is running smoothly, and there's no reason to impose a near-70% increase in the number of medical students. Instead of decreasing the quality of medical education and promoting unqualified prospective students, the government should work to fairly compensate medical interns and residents.
Narrative B
The government has been patient with these doctors and given them ample opportunity to make their voices heard. While neither side will see eye-to-eye on the proposed increase in medical school rolls, it's time to put these differences aside for the good of South Koreans in need of medical care. The two-week-long strike has damaged medical systems nationwide, which is why the government has assessed its severity. Both sides can negotiate this issue without the medical industry collapsing.