Compromise Proposal on Increasing Medical School Quotas: Lee Jae-myung "500-Person Agreement" · Lee Nak-yeon "20% Increase Over 10 Years"

Lee Jae-myung "Increasing university capacity by 2,000 students is impossible... We must have dialogue, not threats"
Lee Nak-yeon "Gradually allocate quotas only to medical schools in provincial areas"

As a medical crisis unfolds due to the issue of increasing medical school quotas, the opposition parties have proposed a mediation plan to gradually increase the number of medical school admissions. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, suggested increasing the quota by 400 to 500 students, while Lee Nak-yeon, co-leader of the New Future Party, proposed increasing the quota by 15 to 20%, focusing only on medical schools located in provincial areas.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 26th, at the Supreme Council meeting held in Incheon, Lee Jae-myung stated, "The government is using prosecutors to solve issues with fists instead of words," and argued, "Currently, the medical school quota is 3,000, but if we increase it by 2,000, can universities accommodate those 2,000? It is impossible."

He continued, "Research and reviews suggest that increasing the quota by a reasonable scale of about 400 to 500 students annually over 10 years can solve the problem to some extent," adding, "There is suspicion that some are trying to stage a political show by initially demanding 2,000 but then backing down to compromise at around 400 to 500, making it seem like an achievement. I hope such suspicions are not true."

He said, "From what we have gathered, the medical community generally agrees with a gradual increase of about 400 to 500 students," and added, "Instead of insisting on 2,000 and threatening arrests or provoking strikes, they should come to the negotiating table."

Lee Nak-yeon proposed a gradual increase but suggested allocating the increased quota only to medical schools in provincial areas.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the Supreme Council meeting that day, he said, "I propose increasing the medical school admission quota by 15 to 20% annually over the next 10 years," adding, "Initially, the increase will range between 458 and 611 students, and the quota will be adjusted through evaluations, but the increased quota should be allocated only to medical schools located in provincial areas."

He further proposed, "Establish a national medical graduate school (medical professional graduate school) in the provinces, mandate 10 years of service at public medical institutions, and an additional 5 years of work in the respective regions." He also suggested holding a hearing by convening a standing committee related to the construction of regional public medical centers with more than 500 beds, and starting discussions on the collapse of regional medical services through the formation of a National Public Consensus Committee.

Meanwhile, the People Power Party opposed Lee Jae-myung’s claims, accusing him of raising conspiracy theories. Yoon Hee-seok, senior spokesperson for the People Power Party, criticized Lee’s mention of political show suspicions, saying, "He has once again raised conspiracy theories as if to fuel anxiety."

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