South Korea halts medical school expansion after protests
After 14 months of protests, the South Korean government has withdrawn its plan to increase the admissions limit for medical studies. This decision is a response to significant strikes by resident doctors and students.
Key information
- The South Korean government cancelled the plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 places.
- The decision is the result of 14 months of protests by resident doctors and students.
- The majority of the public supported the government plan, criticising the medical strikes.
The South Korean government announced the withdrawal of the controversial plan to increase the number of places for medical studies. This decision is a response to protests by resident doctors and students ongoing since February 2024, which led to the partial paralysis of the healthcare system.
Despite massive strikes, the public largely supported the government plan. Public opinion polls indicated that nearly 90 per cent of respondents were opposed to the strikes and supported increasing the admissions limit for medical studies.
Resident doctors and students argued that increasing the number of places for medical studies could lower the quality of education and medical services. They emphasised that the government should focus on protecting healthcare workers from lawsuits and raising wages.
Education Minister Lee Ju-ho apologised to the public at a press conference in Seoul for concerns related to the potential failure of the medical reform. "I sincerely apologise for the concern it has caused to the public who were expecting an increase in admissions, fearing that medical reform might regress," he said.
What's next for healthcare reform?
The government's decision to withdraw the plan to increase medical school admissions may impact future healthcare reform efforts. Patient rights organisations criticise the concession to doctors, fearing it may hinder future reforms.
