Presidential Office: "Apology and Accountability Weaken Medical Reform Momentum... Preparing Plan B and C"

Jang Sang-yoon Chief Firmly Rejects Next Year's Medical School Expansion Cancellation
Medical Community Open to Opinion Exchange if Joining Consultative Body
Possibility of Prolonged Medical Service Gap... Preparing in Advance"

Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, is giving a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office building in Seoul on July 16. [Image source=Yonhap News]

The Presidential Office dismissed the medical community's demands for an apology from President Yoon Seok-yeol and the punishment of those involved in medical reform, saying, "It could rather undermine the momentum for reform." It also firmly rejected the call to cancel the increase in medical school admissions for the 2025 academic year, stating that it is "practically impossible."

Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, said on the morning of the 12th on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "Medical reform has been a matter prepared for over a year and eight months, starting with the essential medical package. All reforms inevitably face resistance or opposition."

Senior Secretary Jang added, "We have been steadily pushing forward, and based on our judgment, we understand that the majority of the public strongly supports the content of this reform."

Regarding concerns that public fatigue is increasing due to medical reform and the resulting medical service gaps, he said, "If we turn back now, the reform will be in vain," and emphasized, "While carrying out the reform, we are keeping the door open for dialogue and are working together to find solutions to the problems."

Senior Secretary Jang stated that canceling the increase in medical school admissions for the 2025 academic year is "impossible," adding, "To reverse or adjust this issue, which has already passed the admissions stage, is something that students and parents in the field cannot accept."

However, he noted that if medical organizations join the ruling-opposition parliamentary consultative body, "Since there are no restrictions on the agenda in the consultative body, it is possible to exchange opinions on the cancellation of the 2025 medical school admissions increase."

He also said about the launch of the ruling-opposition parliamentary consultative body, "We are coordinating with the party and contacting the medical community, and I have personally spoken with several parties who are willing to join the consultative body and discuss. Not all, but some are willing."

He continued, "If the public sees that there is a certain number of medical professionals willing to engage in dialogue, launching the consultative body first could be a way forward," and added, "Even the organizations that have expressed willingness to participate should come in and start discussions. The public will pay attention and have expectations, which could become a driving force."

While it would be ideal for residents and medical students, who are the main parties involved, to participate in the ruling-opposition parliamentary consultative body, if that is difficult, launching the consultative body first is also a viable option.

Senior Secretary Jang said they are also preparing for the possibility of a prolonged medical service gap. He stated, "Based on past precedents, we have assumed that the medical service gap could be prolonged and have been preparing accordingly," adding, "We have Plan B and Plan C ready in advance."

Regarding the issue of increasing medical school quotas by 2,000 students, he emphasized, "This is the very minimum necessary, at least this much must be done," and added, "If 2,000 is considered incorrect, the medical community should bring alternative solutions or answers."

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