Medical staffs are seen at a university hospital in Gwangju on Feb 19, 2024. (PHOTO / AFP)

SEOUL — South Korean doctors taking part in a mass walkout might face suspension of their licences or other legal repercussions if they do not return to work by March, the country's vice health minister said on Monday.

Vice health minister Park Min-soo said more than 9,000 trainee doctors had walked off their jobs so far.

The walkout has disrupted hospital operations and services, with some emergency rooms turning away patients and surgeries being postponed

READ MORE: Doctors' protest: South Korean hospitals extend working hours

The number amounts to more than two thirds of the country's resident and intern doctors, who are protesting a government plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 each year.

"Starting in March, it's inevitable that those who do not return will face at least a three-month suspension of licenses and other legal procedures," Park told a briefing.

READ MORE: S. Korea trainee doctors stage walkout against physician quotas

The walkout has disrupted hospital operations and services, with some emergency rooms turning away patients and surgeries being postponed.