In a continuing standoff between the South Korean government and thousands of striking junior doctors, the authorities have initiated proceedings to suspend the medical licenses of those involved. The walkouts, which have disrupted hospital operations, were sparked by a government plan to increase the enrollment of medical students in the country's medical schools.

Almost 9,000 out of South Korea's 13,000 medical interns and residents have been refusing to work for the past two weeks, protesting against the government's proposal to add more students to medical schools in the coming years. Despite orders to return to work by February 29, the majority of the striking doctors have defied the threats of license suspensions and legal action.

The South Korean government asserts that the addition of more doctors is necessary to cope with an aging population and plans to raise the annual medical school enrollment by 2,000 starting in the upcoming year. However, many doctors argue that universities are ill-prepared to handle such a sudden increase in the number of students, which could ultimately compromise the country's overall medical service.

Taking firm action, the Health Ministry dispatched officials to hospitals on Monday to confirm the absence of striking doctors. This was a necessary step to initiate administrative procedures for license suspension. So far, more than 7,000 strikers have been officially marked as absent. On Tuesday, the Health Ministry continued on-site inspections and began sending notices regarding license suspension proceedings to some of the strikers.

These license suspensions are set to last a minimum of three months, with doctors given an opportunity to respond before the suspensions take effect. Vice Health Minister Park Min-soo has stated that police complaints may be filed against strike leaders, but the government has yet to determine the timing and against whom such actions will be taken.

Under South Korea's medical law, doctors who refuse to resume work can face imprisonment for up to three years or a fine of 30 million-won (approximately $22,500), in addition to up to one year's suspension of their medical licenses. Those who receive prison sentences risk losing their licenses altogether.

While some observers predict that the government will primarily punish strike leaders rather than all the striking doctors, the administrative process to suspend licenses for all 9,000 individuals is expected to take several months.

Speaking anonymously, some striking doctors expressed their determination to continue the walkout, arguing that the government has unjustly labeled them as criminals. The junior doctors understand the potential consequences they face, including stronger punishment, and yet remain resolute in their stance.

Although the striking junior doctors represent only a fraction of the country's 140,000 doctors, they make up a significant percentage, accounting for 30-40% of the total workforce in major hospitals where they assist senior doctors in training. While many senior doctors support their cause, they have not joined the walkouts.

In response to the strike, the South Korean police have launched investigations into five senior members of the Korea Medical Association, following complaints filed by the Health Ministry. The complaints allege that these senior members have encouraged and supported the junior doctors' walkouts.

The standoff between the South Korean government and the striking junior doctors continues to escalate, posing significant challenges to the country's healthcare system and leaving patients at major hospitals without essential care.