South Korean President Yoon Sun Yeol has vowed to go ahead with a plan to increase the number of students admitted into medical schools to improve healthcare in South Korea, and said there was no justification for the protests this reform had triggered.
More than 9,000 young doctors in South Korea, walked off the job last week because of the plan, saying the healthcare sector was not short of doctors, and the government should address pay and working conditions first.
Yoon, however, maintained that his action is not a matter for negotiations or compromise, noting that the plan, which also includes expanded legal protection for doctors and plans to improve healthcare in rural areas will be implemented.
Many Koreans back Yoon’s plan, and his support ratings have edged up in recent weeks, ahead of a general election in April.
