Business Matters

Why junior doctors in South Korea are fighting for their rights?

03.01.2024 - By BBC World ServicePlay

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South Korea is dealing with another day of a doctors' strike. Most junior doctors there have so far defied a government order to return to work by the end of Thursday, despite the threat of legal action. About eighty percent of junior doctors walked out last week in protest against a decision to sharply increase the number of medical school places. They say training more doctors could lower the quality of medical school education and reduce pay. The authorities say the increase will address shortages linked to South Korea's rapidly ageing population, and a lack of doctors in rural areas. We get the views of people in Seoul on the strike action. Also, in the programme, we will hear from The United States Trade Representative - Katherine Tai, who tells us why the fall in bilateral trade between the United States and China is a positive development for both economies. (Picture: South Korean doctors march to protest against the government's medical policy in Seoul. Picture credit: Reuters)

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