South Korean doctors wearing masks march during a protest rally in Seoul February 17. About 40,000 South Korean doctors working for private hospitals across the country staged a rally on Thursday to protest a recent change in government policy that they claim has affected their income. Under the new policy, doctors will be banned from July from selling drugs and medicines themselves but to only issue prescriptions. Most of South Korea's private hospitals closed on Thursday due to the rally.

LJW/DL