06 Mar 2024 | 02:38 AM UTC
South Korea: Rallies, disruptions to medical services will likely persist nationwide through at least late March as doctors stage indefinite strike /update 3
Protests, disruptions to medical services in South Korea likely to persist through late March due to doctors' strike. Confirm appointments.
Protests and widespread disruptions to medical services, including emergency care and surgical procedures, will likely persist nationwide through at least the end of March. The disruptions began after doctors announced plans to strike indefinitely from Feb. 20; approximately 9,000 doctors have joined the work stoppage. The purpose of the action is to protest the increase of the medical school enrollment quota. As of March 6, the government has started to suspend medical licenses of striking doctors. Authorities also extended operating hours of all public medical institutions and opened emergency rooms in at least 12 military hospitals nationwide. Striking workers are likely to continue the action until officials agree to their demands. Organizers may withdraw the strike at short notice if negotiations with authorities are successful.
The Korean Medical Association previously staged large-scale rallies in Seoul, which saw at least 12,000 participants. Unannounced and additional solidarity protests that may attract several hundred doctors are likely across the country in the coming weeks. Demonstrations typically occur outside Yongsan Presidential Office in Seoul, regional hospitals, union offices, and/or government buildings, including the National Assembly and offices of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea, mainly in and around Seoul.
Heightened security and localized transport disruption are likely around related protests. Officials may erect security barricades around government buildings. Police may deploy to ensure that participants do not cause traffic congestion beyond the protest site. While rallies will likely be peaceful, skirmishes between demonstrators and security personnel remain possible. Localized transport and business disruptions could occur near any protest venue, especially if demonstrators block roadways.
Avoid protests as a precaution. Plan for possible localized transport disruptions near rally sites. Allow additional time for travel to nearby destinations. Use alternative routes to circumvent rally sites; do not navigate roadblocks as a safety precaution. Heed all local security and traffic advisories. Confirm medical appointments over the coming weeks. Plan for medical service delays. If possible, contact healthcare facilities in advance for information about wait times, which could vary among hospitals and clinics.
Resident and intern doctors have been participating in an indefinite strike since Feb. 20, triggered by the government's announcement to boost medical school admissions by 2,000 starting in 2025 from the current annual figure of 3,000, and eventually add 10,000 more by 2035. Despite repeated calls by the government to resume work, through the issuance of return-to-work orders and threats to suspend the licenses of striking doctors, approximately 9,000 doctors have yet to return to work as of March 6. Police are currently investigating five high-ranking officials from the Korea Medical Association accused of inciting and abetting the work stoppage.
Despite punitive measures by state authorities intended to put an end to the work stoppage, disruptions to medical services, including the cancellation of certain surgeries and delay of emergency treatments, are likely to persist in the coming weeks. Lingering disruptions will almost certainly occur even after the end of the work stoppage.
