SEOUL — Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has indicated the South Korean government's openness to flexibility regarding the proposed increase in medical school admissions quotas, amid ongoing protests from trainee doctors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Prime Minister Han discussed the government's stance in the wake of protests that began on February 20th. Thousands of trainee doctors have walked out in opposition to the plan to raise medical school admissions by 2,000 seats next year, aiming to address a doctor shortage. The move has sparked a protracted dispute, with healthcare professionals arguing that the increase could dilute the quality of medical education and services while potentially leading to an oversupply of physicians.
In efforts to resolve the standoff, President Yoon Suk Yeol engaged in discussions last Thursday with Park Dan, a representative of the protesting doctors, affirming a commitment to "respect" their perspective on the government's healthcare reforms. "The government maintains a clear stance that it will not bury itself in numbers," Han stated, emphasizing the administration's willingness to engage in dialogue and consider all perspectives on the issue, including the contentious quota increase.
Han suggested the possibility of forming a presidential committee for discussions if reaching a consensus among doctors proves challenging. The government's primary goal with the quota increase is to mitigate the shortage of medical professionals, especially in rural areas and critical medical fields. However, the initiative has been met with resistance from the medical community, concerned about the implications for healthcare quality.
The Prime Minister reflected positively on the dialogue initiated between Yoon and the trainee doctors' representative, viewing it as a significant step towards finding common ground. Efforts are underway to establish a social consultative body to deliberate on broader medical reform, including the quota debate.
Han also expressed concern over the impact of the doctors' strike on emergency care, citing instances of patient deaths due to treatment delays. He reiterated the government's commitment to enhancing the healthcare system through reform efforts.
Beyond domestic healthcare issues, Han touched upon South Korea's stance on North Korea, emphasizing the government's readiness for dialogue despite Pyongyang's continued provocations. He also commented on international relations, including the recent Russian veto at the U.N. Security Council regarding North Korea sanctions and the importance of maintaining strong U.S.-South Korea ties regardless of the upcoming American presidential election outcomes.
Additionally, Han highlighted the significance of trilateral cooperation among South Korea, China, and Japan for regional peace and security, noting ongoing discussions for a summit in Seoul.