South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol addressed the nation on Monday morning regarding the ongoing group action by medical residents opposing the government’s plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 slots starting next year. Yoon emphasized the necessity of the increase, citing a severe doctor shortage due to factors such as the country’s aging population and a corresponding rise in demand for medical services.

Yoon stated that the government had engaged in extensive discussions with the medical community before deciding on the scale of the increase. He urged the residents to end their collective action, which has left hospitals understaffed,