Lee Ju-ho "Enhancing Medical Education Quality... Full Investment in Regional National Universities"

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, visited the College of Medicine at Chungnam National University on the 5th and stated, "We promise full investment in key national universities that will serve as the center of a regionally self-sufficient essential medical system."

On the afternoon of the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Lee held a meeting at the College of Medicine with Kim Jeong-gyeom, President of Chungnam National University, and Cho Gang-hee, Director of Chungnam National University Hospital, where he made these remarks. This visit marks his seventh visit to a key national medical school.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Deputy Prime Minister Lee explained, "To firmly support medical reform, we plan to establish a special account for essential medical care to build a stable financial support system," adding, "The special account will be primarily invested to improve the quality of medical education."

He continued, "The Ministry of Education plans to prepare a comprehensive plan to support the development of medical education, including improvements in educational conditions such as faculty, facilities, equipment, and teaching materials, as well as strengthening curricula and clinical practice, based on the results of a demand survey on educational conditions by university following the expansion of medical school quotas." The government is conducting a demand survey by the 8th to support the necessary equipment and facilities for universities due to the increase in medical school quotas.

Deputy Prime Minister Lee also emphasized his commitment to medical reform. He said, "(The President) met with representatives of medical residents yesterday to listen to the problems of the medical system and exchange opinions," adding, "If the government and the medical community continue sincere dialogue together, we can overcome this crisis and surely achieve medical reform for the people."

Regarding medical students' refusal to attend classes and collective leave of absence, he urged, "Students should prioritize their studies while expressing their opinions to the universities and the government," and added, "If students return to classes, we will provide necessary support together with the universities to ensure that no disadvantages occur."

Addressing professors who have submitted their resignations, Deputy Prime Minister Lee said, "It is very regrettable if professors, who should encourage and guide students to return to their studies, submit their resignations," and stated, "Continuing collective actions will not resolve this situation."

Meanwhile, when Deputy Prime Minister Lee visited Chungnam National University that day, medical students, residents, and professors at the College of Medicine held a picket protest against the increase in medical school quotas.

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