South Korean court rejects doctors’ request to block medical school quotas, as strike drags on

A South Korean court ruled in favour of the government’s contentious plan to drastically boost medical school admissions on Thursday.

A stand-off between the government and doctors opposed to the plan has shaken the country’s medical system for months. More than 10,000 junior doctors have been on strike since February in protest.

The Seoul High Court rejected a request from striking doctors and other opponents for an injunction to block the plan, which would raise the medical school enrolment quota by 2,000 next year, from the current cap of 3,058.

Lee Byung-chul, a lawyer for the doctors, said he will prepare to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, the country’s top court. He said he will issue an official statement on Thursday’s ruling after reviewing details of the verdict.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo welcomed the ruling, saying the government appreciates “the wise ruling by the judicial branch.” He said the government will take steps to finalise medical school admission plans for the 2025 academic year.

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South Korean patients suffer as healthcare system in turmoil amid doctor protest

The striking doctors represent a fraction of all doctors in South Korea, estimated to number between 115,000 and 140,000. But in some major hospitals, they account for about 30 per cent to 40 per cent of doctors, assisting fully qualified doctors and department chiefs during surgeries and other treatments while training. Their walkouts have caused cancellations to numerous surgeries and other treatments at their hospitals.

Officials say the plan is aimed at adding more doctors, because South Korea has one of the world’s fastest-ageing populations and its doctor-to-population ratio is among the lowest in the developed world.

Doctors say