S. Korea paves way for trainee doctors' return to hospitals

South Korea's trainee doctors are expected to begin returning to hospitals in the autumn semester, marking a turning point in a stand-off with the government that began in 2024 over plans to expand medical school admissions.

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SEOUL -

Following a high-level meeting between the Health Ministry and the Korea Intern Resident Association (Kira) on Aug 7, the government agreed on key measures intended to allow doctors to be reinstated to their positions and address continuity concerns related to military conscription.

At the third round of talks held in Seoul, the Ministry of Health and Welfare confirmed it will allow training hospitals to autonomously rehire doctors who previously resigned in protest, as long as they return to their original departments and training years.

The ministry also pledged to steer clear of administrative hurdles in case of overcapacity in staffing that results from such reinstatements.

"We've agreed that hospitals may recruit trainee doctors within their current vacancies, but also that those returning to the same department and year as before can be rehired at the discretion of the hospital," said Mr Kim Guk-il, director of health care policy at the Health Ministry.