A notice posted at the entrance to the emergency room of a major hospital in Seoul, Tuesday, shows emergency medical services are unavailable as trainee doctors tendered their resignations to protest the government's proposed increase in medical school admissions quotas. More than 6,000 trainee doctors submitted their resignations, according to the government, causing major disruptions at hospitals, delaying surgeries and canceling outpatient appointments. Yonhap

Hospitals across the country were plunged into chaos, as surgeries were delayed and appointments canceled, following the resignation of 6,415 junior doctors by Tuesday to protest the government's plan to increase medical school admissions quotas.

Some major hospitals that were forced to cancel planned surgeries are contemplating reducing half of the scheduled operations if the situation persists. Additionally, staff shortages have resulted in some cancer patients being discharged from hospitals.

The coordinated action by the trainee doctors has raised concerns about an unprecedented health crisis that poses a threat to patient care.

Patients and guardians who spoke with The Korea Times on Tuesday morning at Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Seodaemun District, expressed anxiety and frustration over the disruption in medical services. Around 600 out of 612 trainee doctors there have submitted their resignations, making Severance Hospital one of the most affected by the nationwide walkout.

"I was initially slated for spine surgery this month. But after today's checkup, I was informed that the surgery might be postponed," a patient in his 50s surnamed Kim said.

"I came with my mother, who has an ear condition. We were informed today that she needs surgery, but we weren't able to schedule a date due to the current understaffing of doctors," Lim Soon-hyung, a man in his 40s, said.

Jang Kyu-seok, a man in his 50s who came from South Jeolla Province, said he called the hospital the previous day to confirm if he could receive a checkup as scheduled.

"They said today's checkup would not be done by doctors (but nurses and other staffers) so I came. But I have a consultation with a doctor next month, and they said the appointment could be delayed," he said.

An office for interns and resident doctors at Pusan National Univeristy Hospital in Busan is empty, Tuesday, amid the nationwide collective resignation movement by doctors. Yonhap

A total of 6,415 interns and residents, comprising 55 percent of a total 13,000 trainee doctors nationwide, have submitted their resignations as of 11 p.m., Monday, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The figure is alarming, particularly considering that trainee doctors play essential roles as core staff in emergency rooms and provide crucial assistance in operations.

Although none of these resignation letters have been approved by the hospitals, the Ministry reported that 1,630 trainee doctors did not report to work on Tuesday. The ministry did not provide an exact number of delayed surgeries and treatments caused by the doctors' walkouts, but said 34 complaints have been filed so far.

The government has responded with urgent measures, including extending the operating hours of state-run hospitals and opening military hospitals to the public.

Medical college students joined the protest by applying for leaves of absence.

A total of 1,133 medical students at seven universities have submitted leaves of absence applications as of 6 p.m., Monday, but only four of them were accepted, according to the Ministry of Education. More students are expected to join the move, as representatives of 35 medical schools out of 40 in the country have decided to take collective action by refusing to attend classes.

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

Tough response

President Yoon Suk Yeol emphasized that doctors and medical school students should not hold people's lives and health hostage and urged the trainee doctors to return to work.

"Trainee doctors, essential figures in the medical field, and medical school students, crucial for the future of medical care, should refrain from engaging in collective actions that hold people's lives and health hostage," he said during a televised Cabinet meeting.

The president also reiterated his commitment to push ahead with the medical school admissions quota hike.

Earlier this month, the government announced plans to increase the annual enrollment quota at medical schools nationwide in a bid to address a shortage of doctors. The proposed increase would add 2,000 slots yearly from the current 3,058.

Doctors and medical school students are vehemently protesting, arguing that expanding the number of doctors will not resolve the shortage of physicians in specific specialties such as pediatrics and surgery. Instead, they are demanding increased rewards for doctors who are working in harsh conditions.

Trainee doctors who submitted resignation letters attend a meeting organized by the Korean Intern Resident Association at the Korea Medical Association office in Yongsan District, Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap

The ongoing protest by doctors in the form of resignations, rather than an official strike, is perceived as an effort to ensure their actions comply with the law. Under current laws, doctors, classified as essential workers, are prohibited from participating in mass labor actions.

"If their resignations are approved by the hospitals and the doctors are no longer officially part of the medical staff, technically speaking, they are not obligated to follow the government's return-to-work order," said Park Ho-gyun, an attorney at Hippocrates lawfirm, who specializes in medical cases.

Nevertheless, the doctors may not be able to completely avoid legal liabilities, as refusing to treat patients without valid reasons is punishable under the Medical Services Act.

"We will have to see how the situation unfolds, but the trainee doctors proceeded with the collective resignation despite the government's previous order to remain on duty. They might face administrative and criminal penalties for not complying with government orders and civil lawsuits for causing financial losses to the hospitals due to their abrupt resignations," Park said.