Park Minsu, Deputy Minister of Welfare, "Increasing Medical School Quotas by 2000 is Not a Matter for Negotiation"

"Increase in personnel size was not decided based on 'political motives'"
"Scientific evidence was presented"

Park Min-su, the 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, reiterated that the planned increase of 2,000 medical school admissions for the 2025 academic year is "not a large number considering the anticipated medical demand due to future demographic changes," emphasizing that "this is not a matter to be negotiated to increase or decrease the number."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At a briefing held on the 19th at the Government Complex Sejong regarding the doctors' collective action Central Accident Response Headquarters, Vice Minister Park responded to reporters' questions about the possibility of adjusting the 2,000 increase through future negotiations or consultations with the medical community by stating, "(The scale of medical school admissions) must be based on scientific evidence," adding, "The government has presented that evidence."

In the briefing, Vice Minister Park said, "According to studies by national research institutions such as KDI, the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, and Seoul National University, South Korea will face a shortage of 10,000 doctors by 2035 just to maintain the current level," and added, "With the surge in medical demand due to aging, the current workforce cannot handle the workload."

He also explained, "Compared to major OECD countries like Germany, France, and Japan, even an increase of 2,000 doctors is insufficient," stating, "As of 2021, the number of doctors per 1,000 people is 2.1 in South Korea, 4.5 in Germany, 3.2 in France, and 2.6 in Japan."

He emphasized, "France increased its medical school admissions from 3,850 in 2000 to 10,000 in 2020, Japan from 7,625 in 2007 to 9,384 in 2023, and Germany has recently added 5,000 more. In contrast, we have not increased admissions for 27 years. Therefore, 2,000 is by no means a large number."

He added, "Although 2,000 is still insufficient, this decision was made because it can no longer be delayed."

Regarding claims that the 2,000 increase is "motivated by political reasons," Vice Minister Park said, "That is absolutely not true," and stated, "Despite the government presenting the basis for the increase, there are repeated claims that it was done without evidence, which is not true."

Vice Minister Park expressed "deep concern and regret" over the Korea Medical Association's announcement of collective action and the resulting refusal of residents to report to work, despite multiple appeals from the government. Regarding the association's remarks toward the government, he said, "Threatening the lives of the people with inhumane statements is a challenge to the public," adding, "It is shocking and deeply distressing."

On the same day, the Ministry of Health and Welfare issued a medical service maintenance order to residents at 221 training hospitals nationwide under Article 59, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Service Act.

Vice Minister Park emphasized, "The government plans to conduct on-site inspections today and will promptly and transparently disclose the situation as it is assessed," urging, "Residents are once again earnestly requested to withdraw the planned collective resignation and work stoppage and not to turn their backs on patients."

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