Doctors hold a protest in front of the presidential office in central Seoul on Feb. 15, 2024, in opposition to the government plan to increase the number of medical students. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, March 3 (Korea Bizwire) – The presidential office vowed Sunday to respond with “zero tolerance” after allegations emerged online that some doctors were trying to forcibly mobilize drug salesmen for their rally protesting the government’s medical school quota hike plan.
The announcement came as some 20,000 doctors from across the nation were expected to gather at Yeouido Park in western Seoul at 2 p.m. for a mass rally protesting the plan to raise the medical school admission quota by 2,000 beginning next year.
Ahead of the scheduled rally, several postings appeared on online communities, claiming that some doctors were forcing salesmen of pharmaceutical companies to join the gathering.
Salesmen of pharmaceutical companies are often under the sway of doctors who have the authority to prescribe or change certain drugs. A posting said, “I am being forcibly mobilized because a doctor I trade with said he will change drugs if I do not show up.”
Responding to the allegations, the presidential office warned “any illegal acts will be dealt with the principle of zero tolerance.”
A presidential official told Yonhap News Agency, “We are watching the situation in real time with regard to the threats to the public’s lives and health rights from the doctors’ collective action.”
Officials said police launched a legal review of the allegations, saying the allegations, if found to be true, could constitute illegal coercion and violations of the Medical Service Act.
(Yonhap)
