South Korean doctors hold massive anti-government rally over medical school recruitment plan
Thousands of senior doctors have rallied in Seoul to express their support for junior doctors who have been on strike for nearly two weeks over a government plan to sharply increase the number of medical school admissions
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Thousands of senior doctors rallied in Seoul on Sunday to express their support for junior doctors who have been on strike for nearly two weeks over a government plan to sharply increase the number of medical school admissions.
The rally came as the government said it would begin to take steps Monday to suspend the medical licenses of nearly 9,000 medical interns and residents for defying government orders to end their walkouts, which have disrupted hospital operations.
“The government’s absurd medical policy has triggered immense resistance by trainee doctors and medical students, and we doctors have become one,” Park Sung-min, a senior member of the Korea Medical Association, said in a speech at the rally. “I’m asking the government: Please, stop the threats and suppression now.”
Protesters chanted slogans, sang and held placards criticizing the government’s plan. There were were no reports of any violence at the rally.
