ISTANBUL

Patient care in South Korea has faced possible disruption as trainee doctors began to submit mass resignations on Monday in protest against the government's proposal to increase the number of school admissions for medical students, according to local media.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said early Monday that the government plans to expand telemedicine services in case of a mass walkout, the Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

Doctors claim the government "lacks transparency" and that the move to increase the number of medical students will "compromise" the quality of medical education and services.

The government, however, said the increase of 2,000 seats is "necessary" to address a shortage of doctors, especially in rural areas and crucial specialties.

Currently, South Korea's annual enrollment for medical seats is 3,058 seats.

Last Friday, the country's Health Ministry banned large-scale resignations and issued action against doctors' collective resignations.

In addition, to manage the patient rush due to the fallout from resignations, government-run hospitals in the capital Seoul have decided to extend normal operating hours.

Patients and their families have expressed concerns and complaints online about potential disruptions in healthcare services.

The government asked trainee doctors to resume work and get back to hospitals.

South Korea's healthcare system heavily relies on trainee doctors, especially in emergency and acute care.

The situation remains tense amid potential implications for patient access to healthcare.

The medical interns and resident doctors had decided across the country's five biggest hospitals in Seoul to resign by Monday and walk off work early Tuesday.