In February, the South Korean government announced it would increase the number of admissions to medical schools to 5,058, up from the current 3,058, starting from the 2025 academic year to address a shortage of doctors.

The news was met with opposition from medical practitioners and trainees. According to official figures, by February 27, 9,937 junior doctors had resigned and walked off the job at 99 general hospitals to protest government plans to sharply increase medical school admissions to cope with shortages and an aging society. Many hospitals are now understaffed and facing operating difficulties.

CGTN Stringer took to the streets of South Korea to ask residents about their thoughts on the recent doctors' strike. One said, "I feel a bit disappointed. I wish doctors could cooperate more with government policies."