South Korea is in the midst of a medical crisis as thousands of medical interns and residents defy government orders to end their strike, risking suspension of medical licenses and legal prosecution. The strike, which has been ongoing for about 10 days, is in response to the government's plan to increase medical school enrollments by admitting 2,000 more applicants next year.
The government aims to address the country's low doctor-to-population ratio and the fast-aging population by adding up to 10,000 new doctors by 2035. However, many doctors argue that universities are not prepared to provide quality education to such a large number of students and that the plan fails to address shortages in essential specialties like pediatrics and emergency departments.
