Seoul National University College of Medicine Emergency Committee "Concerns Over Essential Medical Care Gaps in the Next 10 Years"

Hope for Dialogue with the Government from the Mediator's Perspective

The Emergency Response Committee of Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital (hereinafter referred to as the ERC) expressed regret over the government's announcement to increase medical school admissions, while also indicating a willingness to engage in dialogue with the government as a 'mediator.'

On the 21st, the ERC stated, "The government's announcement is unilateral and radical, and does not provide a realistic alternative for medical reform," urging, "The government should take a progressive stance and engage in dialogue to resolve the current situation."

On the 12th, medical staff are moving at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The Emergency Response Committee of the Seoul National University College of Medicine Professors' Association announced that if the government does not come up with a reasonable plan regarding the increase in medical school quotas, they will submit their resignation letters starting from the 18th. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

They explained, "The government's unilateral announcement to increase medical school admissions will lead to a shortage of essential medical services over the next 10 years," adding, "Since residents have abandoned their training, even if the number of medical students admitted next year increases, the medical service gap could persist for about 10 years, which is the time required for these students to complete their specialist training."

They continued, "If a forced increase is pushed through while the collective leave of absence by medical students remains unresolved, the students who repeated a year this year and the newly increased class next year will have to be educated together," expressing concern that "there is a severe shortage of personnel and facilities capable of properly educating approximately three times the current number of students."

The ERC stated, "We believe there is still room to resolve the situation through dialogue by listening to the positions of residents and students," and added, "We still expect to engage in dialogue with the government as mediators."

They also noted, "Although a collective resignation of medical school professors nationwide is scheduled for the 25th, this date is only the final deadline for residents' resignations," assuring, "Even if resignation letters are submitted, we will do our best to maintain the field to prevent any medical service gaps."

The day before, the government officially announced the 2025 academic year medical school student quotas and university-specific allocations, which increased by 2,000 students compared to previous years. Of the 2,000 additional students, 82% were allocated to non-metropolitan areas, and 18% to Incheon and Gyeonggi.

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