South Korea’s striking doctor negotiator sees ‘no future’ after meeting with Yoon

South Korean President Yoon Seok-yeol held a high-profile first meeting with a negotiator, a young doctor who resigned in February, but little progress appeared to be achieved on Thursday as the latter expressed pessimism on social media.

Yoon’s office said his first face-to-face talks lasted more than two hours after he took a tougher stance and showed early signs of flexibility as crucial parliamentary elections approach next week.

“There is no future for health care in Korea,” negotiator Park Dan posted on his Facebook page after the meeting, and Yoon’s office said the two exchanged views on improving working conditions and doctors’ pay.

It was unclear which aspect of the talks Park was referring to. Reuters has sent him a text message seeking comment.

A prolonged strike by thousands of trainee doctors across the country has put increasing pressure on South Korea’s health care system, forcing hospitals to turn away patients and reduce the number of surgeries except in emergencies.

Yoon’s office said in a brief statement that Park, president of the Korean Intern Association, accepted Yoon’s invitation to meet and conveyed the views of his colleagues.

It added that Yoon will respect the position of trainee doctors when discussing health care reform, including increasing the number of doctors, with the medical community in the future.

The centerpiece of Yin’s controversial plan is to increase medical school enrollment and the number of doctors in a rapidly aging society, but many are instead worried about getting better working conditions and legal protections.

The government has warned that unless action is taken, South Korea will have fewer than 15,000 doctors needed to maintain basic services.

Yin has said his plan to increase the number of new medical students admitted each year from 3,000 to 5,000 has not yet been discussed, but said on Monday there may be room for adjustment if the medical community makes sound recommendations.

Practicing doctors and medical school teachers in South Korea have asked Mr Yoon to abandon his reform plans.

While an overwhelming majority of the public supports the thrust of Yoon’s plan, a poll on Monday showed that even more people are dissatisfied with his administration’s handling of the impasse.

South Koreans will go to the polls on April 10 to elect a 300-member parliament, with Yoon’s conservative People Power party facing an uphill battle to win back a majority currently held by the opposition.