Presidential Office on Collective Resignation of Residents: "Proceeding with Medical Reform Firmly According to Law and Principles"

Appeal to Restrain Collective Action... "Strong Response"
"No Compromise on 2,000 Medical School Expansion"
Establishment of Regional Medical Schools to Be Discussed Later

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the Cabinet meeting held on the 6th at the Yongsan Presidential Office Building in Seoul.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 18th, the Presidential Office responded to the medical community's mention of collective action against the government's 'expansion of medical school quotas' by stating, "Medical reform is a crucial national mission for the life and health of the people," affirming its unwavering commitment to expanding medical school quotas. It also indicated that if the medical community proceeds with collective action, the government will respond according to law and principles.

Furthermore, it dismissed any possibility of adjusting the increase of 2,000 medical school slots, while mentioning that the establishment of regional medical schools could be discussed later.

It was explained that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s public address to the nation on the same day, emphasizing that "the expansion of medical school quotas cannot be delayed any longer" and expressing determination to carry out medical reform without setbacks, was also intended to reaffirm the government's strong resolve.

A Presidential Office official told Asia Economy in a phone interview that "the most important thing now is that the number of (medical school) students must increase," emphasizing that securing an absolute number of doctors is the top priority. The official added, "There is no room for compromise on the number of medical school quota increases," but said, "We will actively listen to various opinions from doctors regarding regional and essential medical care reconstruction, excluding this number."

The government's urgent public address on this day was due to growing concerns that tomorrow would be a turning point for the collective action of resident doctors. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as of 6 p.m. on the 16th, 715 resident doctors submitted resignation letters at 23 of the top 100 training hospitals by number of residents. However, it is understood that no resignation letters have actually been accepted yet.

However, with the Korean Intern Resident Association announcing that all resident doctors at the 'Big 5' hospitals (Seoul National University, Seoul Asan, Samsung Seoul, Severance, and Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital) will submit resignation letters by the 19th and cease work after 6 a.m. on the 20th, there are growing concerns that a medical service gap may become a reality.

In response, a Presidential Office official emphasized, "The announced increase of 2,000 medical school slots is a conservative estimate; the original plan was for 3,000. The current medical school quota is grossly insufficient, and if this situation continues, there will be a shortage of 15,000 doctors by 2035, so increasing the quota is clearly necessary."

Regarding concerns about insufficient educational infrastructure raised by some, the official said, "The government is preparing for this," and mentioned, "The establishment of regional medical schools is also an issue that can be sufficiently discussed in the future." Prime Minister Han also explained in the interview that "the increase of 2,000 was not unilaterally decided by the government but was the result of careful discussion and verification with the country's top experts and universities," adding, "Many medical schools currently have the capacity to educate more students while complying with existing educational conditions and standards."

While urging the medical community to refrain from collective action, the government stated that if resident doctors submit mass resignation letters as scheduled on the 19th and implement work stoppage plans on the 20th, it will respond firmly. A Presidential Office official said, "We earnestly ask the medical community once again to refrain from collective action," and added, "If the medical community proceeds with collective action, the government will respond according to law and principles."

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