Han Deok-su: "No wavering on increasing medical school quotas... Strict response to illegal activities"

Prime Minister Han Deok-su Reiterates Medical School Quota Increase
"The Public Also Feels the Necessity and Supports the Government"

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is presiding over the Cabinet meeting held on the morning of the 13th at the Government Seoul Office.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo emphasized on the 13th, "We will push forward with the increase in medical school enrollment quotas without hesitation," adding, "We will strictly respond according to law and principles to any illegal activities that threaten the health and lives of the people during this process."

At the Cabinet meeting held at the Government Seoul Office that day, Prime Minister Han spoke about the government's plan to expand medical school admissions. Earlier, the government announced a plan to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 students starting from the 2025 academic year, aiming to secure 10,000 doctors by 2035.

Prime Minister Han pointed out, "Due to the shortage of medical personnel, the public is now facing threats not only to convenience but also to life and health on a frequent basis," and added, "The recent serious issues such as emergency room cycling, pediatric open runs, and metropolitan area medical tourism are all evidence that the public is bearing the full brunt of damages caused by the lack of doctors."

He continued, "Despite this situation, the number of medical school admissions in our country has not increased by a single student in 27 years since the increase in 1998," and said, "On the contrary, after reducing quotas due to the separation of prescribing and dispensing medicines, the number has been maintained at a decreased level for 19 years since 2006."

Prime Minister Han explained that if this situation is left unattended, South Korea will face a shortage of 15,000 doctors by 2035.

He stated, "Since training medical personnel is not something that can be done in a short period, urgent and drastic measures are needed as soon as possible," adding, "Especially considering that countries with already sufficient medical personnel compared to us have proactively expanded medical school quotas significantly in preparation for aging populations, our preparations are very late and thus extremely urgent."

Prime Minister Han also requested cooperation from the medical community opposing the increase in medical school quotas.

He said, "The government fully recognizes that problems such as shortages of essential medical personnel and regional medical disparities cannot be solved simply by increasing the number of doctors," and added, "That is why the government has been actively communicating with various sectors of society, including the medical community, for over a year to seek solutions."

He continued, "The '4 Major Essential Medical Policy Package,' prepared by synthesizing various opinions, includes not only the expansion of medical personnel but also broad support measures for the medical community, such as increasing investment in regional healthcare and implementing institutional reforms to ensure fair and adequate compensation in essential medical fields."

Prime Minister Han concluded, "Increasing medical school quotas is the starting point and an essential task of medical reform, and the public also feels the necessity and supports the government's plan," and urged, "I earnestly ask the medical community to join the government's plan for the people and the future of the Republic of Korea."

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