S. Korean trainee doctors lament 'demonisation' amid stand-off

Public is backing government decision that has triggered a weeks-long strike

- Wendy Teo

Four years after getting his medical licence, an ophthalmology resident is calling it quits.

The Seoul hospital that employs him has yet to accept his resignation, but the 29-year-old trainee eye doctor is already thinking about enlisting in the army, a mandatory duty for South Korean men between the ages of 18 and 35, as he takes a break from medicine.

It has become too hard to practise medicine properly under poor working conditions, he told The Sunday Times on condition of anonymity.

"There is this perception that doctors make a lot of money, but in reality, we residents work long hours, and we don't earn a lot," he said.

Residents say they work far more than the maximum 50 hours a week - up to 82 hours a week with 36-hour shifts being common but are paid less than four million won (S$4,000) a month. In comparison, their US counterparts earn on average US$5,000 (S$6,650) a month.

"It is disappointing to see us being accused of earning a lot of money and being demonised in the public's eye." He resigned on Feb 20, and thousands of other trainee doctors also walked off their jobs to protest against the government's decision to increase medical school admissions from 2024 by 2,000 from the current 3,000 or so.

A Gallup Korea poll released on Feb 16 showed that 76 per cent of people approve of the increase in admissions. A more recent poll by Yonhap News showed 84 per cent of respondents approving the increase, with 43 per cent calling for striking doctors to be sternly punished.

The trainee eye doctor was also among the 20,000 doctors and supporters who showed up for a March 3 rally held in the Yeouido district in Seoul, where the National Assembly is located, to protest against the "absurd" move.

The government says the increase is necessary to alleviate a doctor shortage that is among some of the most acute in developed countries and is set to worsen with South Korea's rapidly ageing population.