South Korea Improves Salaries for Young Doctors, Denies Healthcare Crisis

The South Korean government recently announced improvements in the salaries of young doctors, rejecting claims that the country’s healthcare system is in crisis. The move comes after protests by young doctors who have been working long hours, with continuous shifts of up to 36 hours.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo acknowledged that the current working conditions are a contributing factor to the doctors’ protests and emphasized the need for change. He stated, “We will start implementing improvements as soon as possible.” The government plans to consider limiting the continuous working hours to 24 for internal medicine residents and interns.

Over 10,000 interns and residents are currently on strike, opposing the government’s plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 students per year to address the shortage of doctors in the country. South Korea is experiencing the fastest aging population in the world.

The striking doctors argue that increasing medical school admissions will not solve the issues of low salaries and poor working conditions. In fact, they believe it may exacerbate the situation. However, the proposals put forth by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo seem to be an attempt to find common ground with the protestors.

While the government has not yet publicly commented on the doctors’ proposals, it has taken steps to address the situation. Starting from March, pediatric residents will receive an additional monthly allowance of 1 million Won (approximately $757 USD). The government plans to provide similar allowances to other categories of resident doctors, particularly those in critical fields such as emergency and general surgery. Additional funding will be allocated for these allowances.

President Yoon Suk-yeol has taken a firm stance against the striking doctors, implementing legal actions to suspend the licenses of those who refuse to return to work. He stated that their strike has caused “disruption” in major hospitals, where interns and residents play a crucial role. However, as of March 8, the situation has stabilized due to the efforts of other doctors and nurses who have taken on additional responsibilities.

Minister of Health Park Min-soo emphasized that the claim of a healthcare crisis is an exaggeration. He stated, “The perception that we are in a healthcare crisis is an exaggeration.”

On the same day, the South Korean government also began allowing nurses to perform certain tasks that were previously reserved for doctors, such as artificial respiration and prescribing certain medications.

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