S. Korea takes step to punish five doctors for walkout

Doctors march toward the presidential office during a rally against the government's medical policy in Seoul, South Korea on Feb. 25, 2024. - AP

SEOUL: South Korea filed a criminal complaint against five doctors it suspects of encouraging a mass walkout of trainee doctors, taking the first legal step that could lead to the stripping of medical licences for those in the labour action.

The Health and Welfare Ministry said it filed the complaint with police on Tuesday (Feb 27) against five members of the Korean Medical Association lobby group for allegedly violating the medical law and an order to return to work. This stepped up pressure ahead of a Thursday deadline to return to work for thousands of trainee doctors who have walked off the job - without facing reprisals for their actions.