Around 10,000 junior doctors walked out nearly two weeks ago to protest against an increase in medical school admissions from next year which is meant to help combat shortages and meet the demands of an ageing society.
The striking trainees have defied a February 29 government deadline for them to return to work or face legal action, including possible arrest or suspension of their medical licences.
Despite repeated government appeals, the number returning to work “has been minimal”, Second Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo told at a press conference.
“Starting today the government is enforcing legal measure,” he said, noting inspections at hospitals nationwide would be conducted on Monday to find out who had returned or not.
If doctors’ “absence is confirmed” from the on-site inspections, he said, the government would notify them that procedures to suspend their licences were underway.
“If they violate the government’s back to work order, a three-month-suspension is inevitable.”
