South Korean Doctors Walk Off Jobs, Demand Better Conditions

A significant portion of South Korea’s medical workforce, consisting of over 7,800 interns and residents, have resigned from their positions to protest against working conditions and policy directives.

The mass resignation, emblematic of deep-seated discontent within the medical community, has thrust the nation’s healthcare system into turmoil.

Ryu Ok Hada and Park Dan, representative of the disenchanted junior doctors, highlight a chorus of voices calling for improved pay, reduced work hours, and increased recognition.

The doctors, often hailed as a crucial cog in South Korea’s esteemed medical infrastructure, decry being overworked, underpaid, and unheard.

The protests stem from a broader dissatisfaction with the status quo, with hospitals witnessing a surge in canceled surgeries and turned-away patients amidst the walkout.

Such disruptions underscore the pivotal role junior doctors play, particularly in emergency rooms, intensive care units, and operating theaters, where their absence is acutely felt.

At the heart of the issue lies the grueling work hours endured by South Korean doctors, who routinely face shifts lasting over 36 hours, far exceeding international standards.

Park Dan, head of the Korean Intern Resident Association, emphasizes the demanding workload, with doctors often exceeding 100 hours of work per week, all for meager compensation ranging from 2 to 4 million won ($1,500-$3,000) monthly.

The government’s response, marked by threats of arrest and license revocations, has only escalated tensions.

Despite orders to return to work, the doctors argue that such measures are unconstitutional and infringe upon their rights.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s assurances of extended hospital hours fail to address the core grievances raised by the medical community.

Central to the doctors’ demands are calls for legal protection from malpractice suits, equitable compensation, and structural reforms within the healthcare system.

While acknowledging the plight of their patients, doctors like Park Dan express the difficulty of navigating a system that prioritizes policy over practitioner welfare.