South Korea has ordered trainee doctors to return to work after a mass resignation in protest against reforms that forced the government to resort to military medics.
The country has one of the lowest doctor to patient ratios among developed countries and the government is working hard to stem the shortfall in an aging population.
Doctors have opposed plans to rapidly increase medical school admissions over concerns it would damage the quality of service, while critics allege doctors are more concerned with a decline to their status and salaries.
Hundreds of trainee doctors sent in their resignations on Monday and others are prepared to stop work on Tuesday.
The government has sent out an “issued treatment maintenance order”for all trainee doctors as a legal measure to stop work stoppages. Essential workers are prevented from undertaking mass work stoppages under South Korean law.
Police have warned they could arrest key instigators.
Training reforms are urging a 65 percent increase in students admitted to medical schools and a vast majority of the population support the move amid dissatisfaction with long wait times at hospitals.
More than 700 trainee doctors have so far resigned and have accused the government of trying to implement a socialist medical system.
The defense ministry has said it will open military hospitals to the public if doctors go ahead with the strike.
