S. Korea Doctors' Strike Deepens Crisis

Thousands of junior doctors in South Korea have continued their strike, protesting government plans to significantly increase medical school admissions, deepening a national healthcare crisis. The government issued a final ultimatum on January 26, 2026, threatening license suspensions for those not returning to work, as reported by the BBC.

www.bbc.com reported, Seoul's government, led by President Yoon Suk-yeol, has maintained a firm stance, asserting the proposed 2,000-seat admission increase is vital to address a chronic doctor shortage. This shortage is particularly acute in rural areas and critical specialties like pediatrics and emergency medicine, according to statements made by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on February 20.

Doctors, primarily represented by the Korean Medical Association (KMA), argue the government's plan fails to address fundamental issues. They cite inadequate working conditions, low pay in essential fields, and a lack of proper infrastructure as core problems, Reuters reported on February 22.

www.bbc.com noted, The ongoing walkout has severely impacted hospital operations across the nation, leading to canceled surgeries, delayed treatments, and overwhelmed emergency rooms. Major hospitals, including the "Big Five" in Seoul, have reported significant disruptions, a situation confirmed by Yonhap News Agency earlier this week.

With the government's deadline now passed, authorities are preparing administrative actions, including license suspensions and potential legal charges, against striking physicians. This escalation underscores the government's resolve to implement its reforms, as detailed by The Korea Herald on February 23.

www.bbc.com reported, Public opinion remains divided, with some supporting the doctors' demands for better conditions and fair compensation, while others criticize the disruption to essential health services. A recent poll cited by The Chosun Ilbo indicated mixed sentiments regarding the strike's justification and impact.

The dispute highlights a long-standing tension between the medical community and the government over healthcare policy. Both sides appear entrenched, with little immediate sign of compromise, raising concerns about the long-term stability of South Korea's healthcare system, according to analysis from The New York Times.

• Background Context and Historical Perspective: South Korea has one of the lowest doctor-to-population ratios among developed nations, with approximately 2.6 doctors per 1,000 people, significantly below the OECD average of 3.7. The government's plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 seats annually, from the current 3,058, marks the first such increase in 27 years, aiming to add 10,000 doctors by 2035 to address this deficit, as reported by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
• Key Stakeholders and Their Positions: The primary stakeholders are the government, advocating for increased doctor supply to meet public health needs, and the junior doctors, who argue the plan will degrade medical education quality and exacerbate competition without solving systemic issues. The Korean Medical Association (KMA) supports the junior doctors, demanding better working conditions and fairer distribution of doctors across specialties and regions, according to statements made to local media.
• Economic and Social Implications: The strike has caused an estimated economic loss due to canceled medical procedures and increased strain on remaining staff, impacting both patients and the healthcare system's efficiency. Socially, it has created widespread anxiety among patients needing urgent care and highlighted inequalities in access to specialized medical services, particularly for vulnerable populations, a concern echoed by patient advocacy groups.
• Related Developments and Similar Cases: This is not the first time South Korean doctors have protested government healthcare reforms. A similar large-scale strike occurred in 2020 over a smaller proposed increase in medical school quotas, which the government eventually backed down from. Other countries, such as the UK and France, have also experienced doctor strikes over pay and working conditions, illustrating a global challenge in healthcare labor relations, The Guardian noted in a comparative analysis.
• Timeline of Events: The government announced its medical school quota increase plan in early February 2026. Junior doctors began their mass walkout around February 19, defying government orders to return to work. The final ultimatum for doctors to return by February 29 was largely ignored, leading to the government initiating administrative procedures for license suspensions in early March, as detailed by government press briefings.
• Potential Future Developments and Next Steps: The government has indicated it will proceed with license suspensions and potential legal action, including arrests for those inciting the strike, if doctors do not return. Doctors, meanwhile, have threatened further collective action, including resignations by senior doctors, which could further cripple the healthcare system. Negotiations remain stalled, with both sides showing little willingness to compromise, according to observers from the Korea Times.
• Impact on Different Groups: Patients requiring non-emergency or elective procedures are most affected by cancellations and delays, while emergency services are stretched thin. Medical students face uncertainty regarding their future training and career paths. The general public is divided, with some supporting the government's long-term vision for healthcare access, and others sympathizing with doctors' demands for improved working conditions, as reflected in various public forums.
• Regulatory and Legal Context: Under South Korea's Medical Service Act, doctors can face penalties, including license suspension or revocation, if they refuse to treat patients without justifiable reason or participate in collective action that disrupts medical services. The government has invoked these provisions, emphasizing its legal authority to compel doctors to return to work, a point reiterated by the Ministry of Justice.