The South Korean government ordered on Thursday more than 36,000 medical institutions to continue treating patients and to report any strike activities. The Korea Medical Association (KMA), the foremost coalition of doctors in the country with memberships totaling some 130,000, plans a one-day general strike on Tuesday. Medical professors at major hospitals have decided to stage indefinite walkouts starting next week. The KMA is demanding that the government suspend the proceedings regarding the medical school quota hike for 2025.

The government warned that canceling patient appointments without consent may constitute an illegal refusal of treatment under the Medical Service Act and vowed to respond sternly to such actions. Despite the strikes, 95.3% of emergency rooms continue to operate without bed reductions.