In a bid to address the shortage of medical professionals in South Korea, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has announced that medical schools will have the autonomy to set their own admission quotas starting next year. This decision, which was made after a government meeting on April 19, has raised hopes of resolving tensions in the medical field. 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 six national medical schools seeking to reduce enrollment targets by 50% next year due to concerns about inadequate training facilities. However, the core issue of the strike by over 9,000 resident doctors who protested the policy to increase medical school enrollment quotas remains unresolved. The strike caused disruptions in medical services across the country and led to a crisis as medical students and professors also joined the protest.
In response, the government began revoking practice licenses and considering criminal sanctions against striking doctors. The protestors believed that increasing the number of medical school students would compromise the quality of care and increase healthcare costs for patients. However, the government 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 2035, there is a growing demand for medical services. The shortage of doctors is a significant concern, with predictions suggesting a shortfall of at least 10,000 doctors by 2035. As the country faces these demographic challenges, finding a balance between increasing enrollment quotas and maintaining the quality of healthcare services remains a pressing issue.
Prime Minister Han emphasized that this decision is a step towards finding a compromise amidst a lack of consensus in