Overview

• Thousands of junior doctors in South Korea have been on strike for about 10 days, protesting against the government's plan to increase medical school enrollments.
• As of Wednesday night, approximately 9,076 of the country's 13,000 medical interns and residents had resigned, with only 294 returning to work.
• The government warns of legal actions, including license suspensions and prosecution, with formal steps towards penalties expected to begin on Monday.
• The strike centers on concerns over the quality of education and the potential oversaturation of the medical field, despite the government's aim to address a doctor shortage.
• The walkouts have led to cancellations or delays in several hundred surgeries and medical treatments, though emergency and critical patient care remains largely stable.