South Korea’s largest doctors’ organization was set to hold candlelight vigils nationwide Thursday, as the government effectively finalized the plan to increase the number of medical school admissions starting next year.

The Korea Medical Association (KMA) said it plans to hold candlelight vigils at six locations across the country, including Seoul and the southern port city of Busan, where participants plan to condemn the government’s medical reform plan.

The move comes about a week after the Korean Council for University Education confirmed a hike in next year’s medical school admission quota, marking the first such increase in 27 years.

Officials from the Korea Medical Association stage a protest in Seoul in this file photo taken March 3, 2024. (Yonhap)

During the rally in Seoul, the KMA plans to play video messages from patients’ guardians addressed to the president and respond to questions submitted by citizens.

About 12,000 trainee doctors have remained off the job since Feb. 20 in protest of the p
lan to raise the medical school admissions quota by 2,000, causing disruptions at general hospitals and emergency rooms.

Amid media reports that the KMA may announce an all-out strike of doctors, including those from local clinics, officials from the organization stated that nothing has been decided on the matter.

Pundits predict that even if the KMA declares an all-out strike, the number of doctors actually participating may be limited, given that most members run private clinics.

The health ministry, meanwhile, noted that it will closely monitor the scheduled rallies, including the possibility of an all-out strike.

Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong also renewed the call for junior doctors to return to their hospitals, noting the government will make efforts to improve their working environment.

“The government intends to make the best efforts to minimize penalties on junior doctors returning to their worksites,” Cho added.

Source: Yonhap News Agency