[2024 National Audit] Minister of Health and Welfare "Not Opposed to Shortening Medical School Curriculum"... On Resignation Demands, "I Will Do My Best" (Comprehensive)

Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare, stated that he does not oppose the plan to shorten medical school education from six years to five years as long as the quality of education is guaranteed. While saying there are no restrictions on the agenda of the ruling and opposition party parliamentary council, he drew a line by saying that the complete cancellation of the increase in medical school admissions for the 2025 academic year, as demanded by medical associations, is out of the question. Although some opposition lawmakers demanded his resignation, holding him responsible for the medical crisis, Minister Cho said, "As long as I am in office, I will do my best."

Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong is responding to lawmakers' questions at the Health and Welfare Committee's audit held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 7th.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

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At the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee’s audit on the 7th, when Baek Hye-ryun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asked whether there had been interdepartmental consultations regarding the reduction of medical school education, Minister Cho replied, "There was no specific prior consultation." He added, "I understand that it reflects the Ministry of Education’s concerns about difficulties in the academic schedule and preventing gaps in medical personnel."

Regarding the Ministry of Education’s position on considering shortening the medical school curriculum from six years to five years, Minister Cho said, "The important thing is to guarantee the quality of medical education," and added, "If it is possible to shorten the time while ensuring quality, I do not oppose it."

He emphasized the necessity of doctors’ participation in the 'Human Resources Supply and Demand Estimation Committee,' an expert body established to scientifically estimate the appropriate scale of medical personnel.

When asked what would happen if doctors refuse to participate in the committee until the end, Minister Cho said, "First, we will start with estimating nursing personnel and continue to persuade the doctors." He continued, "I think we need to buy time so that doctors can participate as much as possible," and said, "We will proceed with various preliminary tasks so that when the doctors return later, decisions can be made immediately."

Criticism toward the Ministry of Health and Welfare continued regarding the 'Emergency Measures for Normalizing Medical School Academics' announced by the Ministry of Education the previous day. Seo Young-seok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, strongly criticized, "Is medical school education some kind of dumping product? Is it on sale? If classes are not held for two years, will it be changed to four years of classes, and if classes are missed for three years, will it be changed to a three-year system?"

In response, Minister Cho said, "(Increasing medical school admissions) is a prerequisite for expanding essential medical services, and what the Ministry of Education announced is a consideration to minimize the supply gap of medical personnel."

Regarding whether the medical school quota for next year is open for discussion, Minister Cho responded to Park Joo-min, chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee, "There are no restrictions on discussion topics or subjects, but since the admission procedures for the 2025 academic year are underway, I will explain that it is difficult to discuss the quota for the 2025 academic year."

When So Byung-hoon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asked, "Are you confident that residents will return by March next year?" Park Min-soo, the second vice minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, replied, "It is unpredictable." When asked if there is a Plan B if residents do not return, Vice Minister Park emphasized, "We will operate the current emergency medical system without disruption to ensure there is no gap in critical care."

Regarding Park Hee-seung, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea’s criticism that more than 80% of public health doctors dispatched by the government to fill the manpower gap in university hospitals are working in medically underserved areas, raising concerns about medical gaps in rural areas, Minister Cho explained, "Considering the difficulty of essential medical services due to the current withdrawal of residents from the field, some public health doctors are being dispatched."

Regarding the regional doctor system and other proposals for expanding regional and public healthcare suggested by Nam In-soon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, he gave a general response, saying, "If we actively participate in the discussion process and minimize side effects, there is no reason not to consider it."

In response to Seo Myeong-ok, a member of the People Power Party’s criticism that mild patients have nowhere to go due to the government’s request to refrain from visiting emergency rooms, Minister Cho said, "I agree on the need to further expand infrastructure where mild patients can easily visit," and added, "We will also consider pilot projects."

Jang Jong-tae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, criticized that more than 2.3 trillion won of health insurance funds have been spent to manage the side effects of policy failures while the medical crisis shows no signs of resolution. Minister Cho acknowledged, "Our medical system is in a situation equivalent to a social disaster," and explained, "Considering that it is a resource to protect the health and lives of the people, the injection of health insurance funds is inevitable."

When Baek Hye-ryun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asked whether the greatest responsibility for the medical manpower gap lies with the residents or the government, Minister Cho replied, "The responsibility lies with both the medical community and the government."

When asked if he is willing to resign to take responsibility for the current medical manpower gap crisis, he indicated that he has no intention of voluntarily resigning, saying he will fulfill his duties. Minister Cho said, "In a situation where the medical field is rapidly changing, it is not appropriate for a political official to voluntarily announce his position," but added, "I will do my best to minimize the medical manpower gap with a responsible attitude."

Especially, when Kang Sun-woo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asked whether he thinks a presidential apology is necessary regarding the medical crisis, Minister Cho said, "It is not a situation to make a proposal to the president." He added, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education, as the main ministries, are taking responsibility and implementing (medical reform)," and said, "(The medical crisis) is a problem of the responsible ministers not properly carrying out their duties."

When Kang asked again, "Is it the minister’s position that a presidential apology is not necessary for this matter?" Minister Cho replied, "The president is well aware of the medical field, so whether to apologize for the medical manpower gap is a matter for the president to decide, not for me to judge."

Regarding the question of whether medical reform is a process toward privatization, he denied it, saying, "That is absolutely not true," and argued, "All government policies are aimed at protecting public health and expanding medical accessibility."

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