In early 2024, thousands of doctors in South Korea held mass protests against the government’s plan to expand medical school admission quotas. This policy was seen as a threat to professional standards by medical practitioners and marked a shift from traditional obedience culture towards an era of openness and criticism.

Historically, South Korean society has highly respected hierarchy and authority, especially in the medical profession which holds high social status. However, in recent years, young doctors have begun to voice their concerns about long working hours, inadequate compensation, and excessive workloads.

These demonstrations reflect a shift in South Korean society, which is increasingly daring to challenge unfair policies, showing an evolution from a culture of obedience to a more critical society. This phenomenon serves as a warning to the government to listen and respond to citizens’ concerns.

The doctor protests in early 2024 demonstrate significant social change in South Korea, showing the tension between traditional values and demands of modernity, as well as between government interests and citizens’ aspirations. This event not only affects the health sector but also reshapes the country’s socio-political landscape.

The Concept of Obedience in South Korean Society:

South Korean behavioral norms are based on a strong concept of obedience, especially in family and social relationships. Children’s obedience to parents, particularly between father and son, is heavily emphasized and reflected in daily actions and respectful ways of speaking. Beyond family, obedience and respect are also important in social relationships outside the family, where people are expected to speak and behave politely towards those who are older or have higher positions in the social hierarchy.

This traditional way of thinking influences vertical relationships between employers and employees in the workplace. Korean company members tend to prioritize vertical over horizontal relationships, resulting in one-sided downward communication and concentration of decision-making at the top of the organization.

The Shift in Obedience: Korean Doctors Fight Back:

The mass demonstrations by doctors in South Korea in early 2024 drew public attention due to their large scale and marked the emergence of a significant resistance culture among medical professionals. This event reflects a shift from traditional obedience norms towards a new era where doctors dare to voice their opinions and fight for their rights openly.

Several key factors contributed to this resistance culture, including poor working conditions, inadequate compensation, controversial government policies, and awareness of professional rights. Doctors, especially younger ones, face long working hours and heavy workloads that create high levels of fatigue. Although the medical profession is socially respected, many feel that their salaries are not commensurate with their responsibilities. The government’s plan to increase medical school quotas is seen as a threat to the quality of healthcare services and their future career prospects.

These demonstrations show a change in the mentality of South Korean doctors, who are now bolder in opposing harmful policies and fighting for better working conditions. Although some doctors still adhere to traditional values, this action has become an important catalyst for further change. In the future, this resistance culture is expected to continue growing as doctors become more aware of their rights and their power to drive change.

This resistance culture has the potential to bring significant improvements in health system reform, improved working conditions, compensation adjustments, and better quality of healthcare services. The doctor demonstrations in early 2024 represent an important milestone in the evolution of South Korea’s professional and social culture, paving the way for more open dialogue between the government, medical professionals, and the public, which could ultimately lead to a stronger and more equitable healthcare system.