The government said Monday it will not hold trainee doctors accountable if they return to work by Thursday as intern and resident doctors stayed off the job for the seventh day in protest of the medical school quota hike plan. Interior Minister Lee Sang-min made the remarks during a government meeting as the ongoing collective action by trainee doctors has slashed surgeries at major general hospitals in Seoul by up to 50 percent of capacity and has caused patients inconvenience. "Facing up to the seriousness of the current situation, I appeal for the last time ... the government won't hold you accountable if you return to the hospital," Lee said. Source: Yonhap News Agency