South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced that medical schools will have the autonomy to determine their own admission quotas starting next year, in an effort to address tensions in the medical sector. This decision, made after a government meeting on April 19, aims to end a long strike that has been affecting the industry.
As part of this decision, 32 universities will be allowed to increase their enrollment targets flexibly, with annual increases ranging from 50% to 100% starting from 2025. This decision comes in response to a proposal made by 6 national medical schools to reduce enrollment targets by 50% next year due to concerns about training facilities.
The initial plan by the government was to increase medical school enrollment quotas by 2,000 by 2025, with an additional 10,000 doctors expected by 2023. Prime Minister Han hopes that by accepting recommendations from school deans, a compromise can be reached to protect medical students, normalize education, and resolve conflicts within the medical community.
The strike by over 9,000 resident doctors began in February to protest the policy of increasing medical school enrollment quotas, leading to the cancellation of surgeries and treatments across the country. The government’s proposed reform program faced backlash from medical professionals who raised concerns about the quality of medical services and patient costs.
However, the government believes that increasing enrollment targets is necessary to address the aging population and strengthen essential sectors like pediatrics, emergency medicine, and surgery. With a significant portion of South Korea’s population expected to be over 65 years old by 2035 and a shortage of medical manpower predicted, the need for additional doctors is crucial for the country’s healthcare system.