SEOUL: Education Minister Lee Ju-ho reiterated the government’s commitment to maintaining the quality of medical education amid rising concerns that the increase in medical school admissions could dilute educational standards. This assertion comes in response to the government’s decision to escalate the number of medical school seats by approximately 1,500 for the year 2025, aiming to address the country’s doctor shortage.
According to Yonhap News Agency, earlier this year, the government unveiled plans to boost the annual medical school intake by about 2,000 students over the next five years. This decision was met with significant pushback from the medical community, culminating in a mass resignation of trainee doctors since February. The protesting doctors have called for a complete reevaluation of the plan.
In an effort to address these concerns, Minister Lee, in a recent interview, emphasized that the government has secured sufficient resources and faculty support to handle the increased number of medic
al students without compromising the quality of education. He affirmed, “We must ensure that the quality of education will not deteriorate despite the increase in admissions.”
The controversy has also led to significant developments at educational institutions. Following Seoul National University’s decision to permit medical students to take a leave of absence in protest against the government’s reforms, the Education Ministry announced a similar measure earlier this month. This temporary policy allows medical students to pause their studies with the stipulation that they return next year.
Minister Lee described these developments as a positive step towards initiating dialogue between the government and the medical community to resolve the ongoing dispute. However, he also cautioned that students who fail to return as agreed would face serious consequences, including the possibility of expulsion.