A total of 20 doctors lost their medical licenses over the past six years for having unlicensed people practice medicine on their behalf, including plastic surgeries, a report showed Sunday.

Two dentists, two doctors of Korean medicine and one nurse had their medial licenses revoked for engaging in such illegal practices over the 2015-2020 period, according to the report compiled by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and submitted to the parliament.

Out of the 20 doctors who were stripped of their licenses over the cited six-year period, six have challenged the revocation decisions and three have won the cases.

Calls have grown in South Korea for tightening the punishment of such practices as a number of malpractices by "shadowy doctors" have made headlines.

Civic groups demand the government revise related laws to mandate surveillance cameras in operation rooms, while the medical circle opposes the move, claiming cameras would make doctors refrain from practicing medicine. (Yonhap)