SEOUL: South Korean government has said that it is seeking to hold its first dialogue with striking junior doctors as a deadline loom for them to return to their work or risk prosecution. This was stated by the vice health minister on Thursday. He said that he has sent a message urging doctor representatives to hold talks.
Earlier, South Korea’s health minister said that most of the striking doctors did not return to work despite a deadline. The Minister said that the authorities would take action against them if they continue strike.
About 10,000 junior doctors went on strike last week in protest at a government plan to increase admissions to medical schools to address issue of shortages.
Doctors said that the plan will undermine the quality of health services and industry groups have alleged the government of “intimidation tactics”.
South Korea’s law restricts protests by doctors, and the government threatened to take action and arrest doctors and suspend their medical licenses if they did not return to work by today.
