The South Korean government said that it had started issuing punishment notices to over 7,000 doctors who are still on strike and failed to resume their duties before March 5.

A total of 8,983 doctors, over 90 percent of interns and resident doctors at the country's 100 major hospitals, were on strike as of March 4 evening. The government said it has collected evidence against the striking doctors, who will soon be subjected to punishments, such as license suspension.