South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced that medical schools will have the autonomy to set their own admission quotas starting next year, a decision that has raised hopes of resolving tensions in the medical field. This announcement came after a government meeting on April 19, aimed at bringing an end to a prolonged strike. The government has agreed to allow 32 universities to increase their enrollment targets flexibly, with annual increases ranging from 50% to 100%, starting in 2025. This decision aligns with the proposal put forward by 6 national medical schools seeking to reduce enrollment targets by 50% next year due to concerns about inadequate training facilities.
The government had previously planned to increase medical school enrollment quotas by 2,000 by 2025, with an additional 10,000 doctors expected by 2023. Prime Minister Han described the decision as a step towards finding a compromise amidst a lack of consensus in the medical community. He emphasized the importance of protecting medical students, normalizing education, and resolving conflicts that have arisen.
The strike by over 9,000 resident doctors in protest of the policy to increase medical school enrollment quotas had caused disruptions in medical services across the country. The crisis escalated as medical students and professors also joined the protest. The government, in response, began revoking practice licenses and considering criminal sanctions against the striking doctors.
The core issue of the strike was the government’s plan to increase the number of medical school students, which the protestors believed would compromise the quality of care and increase healthcare costs for patients. The government, however, stated that increasing targets is essential to address the challenges posed by an aging population and the need for medical professionals in crucial sectors.
With a projection that nearly 30% of South Korea’s population will be 65 years or older by