South Korean government warns striking doctors to return to work or face legal action

By HYUNG-JIN KIM
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — The South Korean government has warned thousands of striking doctors to return to work immediately or face legal action after their collective walkouts caused cancellations of surgeries and disrupted other hospital operations. Wednesday’s warning comes as collective walkouts by trainee doctors have caused cancellations of surgeries and disrupted other hospital operations. The Health Ministry says about 7,800 medical interns and residents have walked off their jobs to protest the government’s push to recruit more medical students. The ministry says the government issued an official order for most of the striking doctors to return to work. By law, if they refuse to abide by the order, they could face up to three years in prison.