Doctors strike in South Korea: Hospitals lose nearly $72 million

On June 23, the Seoul City government, South Korea, said that the capital's two major hospitals, Seoul Medical Center and Boramae Medical Center, could suffer losses of nearly 100 billion won (about 71.89 million USD) this year if interns do not return to work and this situation continues until the end of the year.

Of the 203 doctors at Seoul Medical Center, 22 percent are interns, and the same ratio is 33.9 percent at Boramae. The strike has cut bed occupancy at the two leading medical facilities by more than 20 percent. Both have activated emergency management and implemented cost-cutting measures.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government said it plans to inject 45.6 billion won to support the two hospitals to prevent the situation from getting worse and ensure the provision of necessary medical services to the people.

HUY QUOC