Yoon: "15,000 More Doctors Needed by 2035... Expanding Workforce Is a Timely Challenge"

Yoon Presides Over Cabinet Meeting
"Ministry of Health and Welfare to Announce Medical School Quota in the Afternoon"

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 6th, "Expanding the number of medical personnel is an urgent task that can no longer be delayed to protect the health and lives of the people," and announced plans to increase the quota for medical schools.

At the Cabinet meeting held at the Yongsan Presidential Office that morning, President Yoon said, "Including medical personnel needed to respond to rapid aging and the demand in the health industry, it is estimated that about 15,000 more doctors will be needed by 2035."

President Yoon explained, "The government has listened to diverse voices from the medical community, experts, patient groups, and the public, and after thorough consideration and discussion, has prepared practical measures for medical reform," adding, "we have established the 'Four Major Medical Reform Packages' to restore the collapsing medical system."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 1st, at a public discussion on livelihood issues, President Yoon revealed the Four Major Medical Reform Packages, which include expanding medical personnel, strengthening regional healthcare, establishing a safety net for medical accidents, and enhancing fairness in the compensation system.

Specifically, President Yoon explained, "We will enact the 'Medical Accident Handling Special Act' to allow doctors in essential medical fields that protect the lives of the people to practice with confidence by introducing a prior mediation system and liability insurance, and establish a fair compensation system for essential medical care through public policy fees."

The prior mediation system means that before deciding on any matter, a court mediation procedure must take place. Its purpose is to ensure sincere negotiations between parties and to resolve disputes peacefully through the court's mediation efforts.

He continued, "We will properly invest in regional hospitals so that people can receive treatment from good hospitals and doctors no matter where they live in the country, and allocate quotas centered on regional medical schools to restore regional healthcare."

Furthermore, he said, "The government and I will pursue medical reform unwaveringly, focusing solely on the people and the future of the country," and requested, "We ask for the cooperation of the medical community in medical reform to protect not only the lives and health of the people but also the future of the Republic of Korea."

Meanwhile, President Yoon mentioned that Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong is scheduled to announce specific details regarding the expansion of medical school quotas later that afternoon.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.