Seoul – In a move signaling potential flexibility, President Yoon Suk Yeol has expressed openness to adjusting the controversial medical school admission quota for 2026, an official revealed on Friday. This development comes as discussions may soon resume through a proposed negotiating panel involving political parties, the government, and the medical community.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the government and the ruling People Power Party (PPP) are advocating for the creation of a four-way dialogue to address the ongoing crisis triggered by a significant increase in medical school seats announced earlier this year. The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has also supported this initiative, urging immediate action to alleviate the tension and disruptions caused by the extended walkout of junior doctors.
The proposed increase, which raised the number of medical school seats by 2,000 to a total of 5,058 annually for the next five years, has led to severe disruptions in hospital operations nationwide, particularly impacting emergency room services. Despite previous firm stances on the quota, senior officials have now clarified that President Yoon is not rigidly committed to the 2,000-seat hike and is willing to consider scientifically backed adjustments.
“The government and the PPP’s position that we are open to discussing the health reform issue, including the expansion of medical school seats for 2026, remains steadfast,” said PPP floor leader Rep. Choo Kyung-ho. The PPP has called on the medical community to return to the negotiating table to forge a reasonable compromise that might resolve the ongoing crisis.
Additionally, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon proposed the establishment of a joint consultative body to directly address the shortage of medical services and enhance regional and essential healthcare systems. This body would aim to integrate perspectives from all affected stakeholders and develop sustainable solutions to the pressing issues in South Korea’s healthcare sector.
The prolonged disruption has heightened public inconvenience and escalated concerns over the reliability of emergency medical services. With the government’s constructive stance on renegotiating the admissions quota, there is a cautious optimism for resolution, although it remains uncertain if the medical community will engage in dialogue without a full revocation of the planned increase for 2025.