Health
South Korean medical professionals stage reduced‑hours action amid ongoing doctor shortage crisis
Senior doctors and professors at multiple hospitals in South Korea began reduced‑hours work on March 25, 2026, in solidarity with ongoing protests over government‑mandated medical student‑quota expans
Amid the 2024–2026 South Korean medical crisis, senior doctors and professors at around 20 hospitals launched a reduced‑hours work schedule on March 25, 2026, as an act of solidarity with junior doctors and medical‑student organizations. The move follows thousands of resignations and boycotts by interns, residents, and some faculty members in response to a government policy that significantly increased medical‑student admission quotas. Health authorities report delays in non‑urgent procedures and challenges in specialties such as pediatrics, obstetrics, and gynecology, particularly in rural areas. The government has labeled many of the collective‑action measures as illegal, while simultaneously expanding telemedicine and broadening the scope of practice for experienced nurses to mitigate disruption.
- Status
- active
- Location
- Multiple hospitals across South Korea
- Date added
- 2026-03-25 20:43 UTC
- Last updated
- 2026-03-25 20:43 UTC
- Source
- https://www.koreaherald.com
- Connected threats
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- Not Available