Ongoing industrial action has led the South Korean government to threaten suspension, prosecution and even job loss for thousands of doctors participating. The protests have so far caused backlogs at hospitals and forced the cancellation of operations.

Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said that authorities have started investigations at 50 training hospitals to compile lists of junior doctors who are unwilling to return to work, with a plan to suspend their licences.

In South Korea, it is within the government’s power to order doctors back to work and prosecute them if they refuse. This could ultimately result in the permanent loss of their right to practise.

“From today (4 March) we plan to conduct onsite inspections to confirm trainee doctors who have not returned and take action according to the law and principle without exception,” Cho said. “Please be aware that doctors who have not returned may experience serious problems in their personal career path.”

The government has reported that 8,945 interns and residents, comprising 72% of the national total, remain on strike after two weeks while only 565 have thus far obeyed demands to return to work.

Protesters argue that the proposed changes would cause competition between doctors to rise, at the risk of lowering incomes. According to those striking, this could result in doctors carrying out unnecessary procedures, furthering the cost to the state health insurance system.