SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea's government criticized senior doctors at a major hospital for threatening to resign in support of the weekslong walkouts by thousands of medical interns and residents that have disrupted hospital operations.
But in some major hospitals like the Seoul National University Hospital, they account for about 30%-40% of the total doctors, assisting senior doctors during surgeries and dealing with inpatients while training.
Their walkouts have subsequently caused numerous canceled surgeries and other treatments at their hospitals and burdened South Korea’s medical service.
But doctors say newly recruited students would also try to work in the capital region and in high-paying fields like plastic surgery and dermatology.
Critics say doctors — one of the best-paid professions in South Korea — are only worrying about the possibility of a lower income in the future.
Persons:
JaeSeung, Park, Cho KyooHong
Organizations:
Seoul National University Hospital, Health
Locations:
SEOUL, South Korea, South