SKorea to Begin Suspending Licenses of Striking Doctors
The Facts
The South Korean government announced Monday that it will begin suspending the medical licenses of thousands of junior doctors who have continued their strike and defied the government's ultimatum to return to work last week.
Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said authorities will visit hospitals to see whether striking doctors had returned to work before "tak[ing] action according to the law and principle without exception."
The Spin
Narrative A
Junior doctors have legitimate reasons to protest, and the government would be wise to listen to them. Despite an aging population, the South Korean medical system is running smoothly, and there's no reason to impose a near-70% increase in the number of medical students. Instead of decreasing the quality of medical education and promoting unqualified prospective students, the government should work to fairly compensate medical interns and residents.
Narrative B
The government has been patient with these doctors and given them ample opportunity to make their voices heard. While neither side will see eye-to-eye on the proposed increase in medical school rolls, it's time to put these differences aside for the good of South Koreans in need of medical care. The two-week-long strike has damaged medical systems nationwide, which is why the government has assessed its severity. Both sides can negotiate this issue without the medical industry collapsing.
