The Korean Medical Association (KMA) has warned that doctors and medical professors in the country may hold a strike on June 20 to continue protesting the government's decision to increase enrollment quotas for medical schools.
More than 70,000 people, or 54.8 percent of the KMA, the largest doctors' association in Korea with more than 129,000 members, participated in the vote held over four days (from June 4). The KMA said the results of the vote will be announced at a meeting scheduled for June 9.
The KMA also noted that the June 9 meeting would mark “the largest collective action in history,” with professors, doctors, and students all agreeing to act with one goal. Previously, doctors at four major hospitals affiliated with Seoul National University decided to go on strike starting June 17.
Thousands of trainee doctors have quit their jobs after the government announced plans to increase the number of medical school students by about 1,500 students, marking the first increase in 27 years, according to KMA.