Seoul

South Korean Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong expressed deep apprehension regarding a recent stance taken by medical professors, who threatened to resign unless a breakthrough occurs in the prolonged walkout by trainee doctors. The collective resignation, if realized, poses a significant threat to patient safety, he emphasized during a meeting of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters.

Medical school professors at Seoul National University (SNU) resolved to submit mass resignations next week if the government fails to provide a reasonable breakthrough in the ongoing walkout, according to sources. This decision, Cho stressed, endangers the lives and well-being of patients, raising grave concerns.

Over three weeks ago, more than 90 percent of the country’s 13,000 trainee doctors initiated a mass resignation to protest the government’s plan to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 spots next year, aiming to alleviate a doctor shortage. Currently, the quota stands at 3,058, making the resignation decision critical.

Medical school professors have also warned of further action if the government doesn’t engage in dialogue without conditions. An association of medical school professors asserted that they would hold the government accountable should the ongoing situation cause harm to trainee doctors and medical school students, emphasizing the urgency of resolution and dialogue.