The South Korean government has announced a conditional decision to suspend its previously proposed plan to increase medical school admissions, in an effort to resolve the ongoing healthcare crisis.
Education Minister Lee Ju-ho stated on Friday that the government will set the medical school enrollment quota for 2026 at 3,058—the same figure as before the proposal to increase admissions by 2,000. However, the implementation of this revised quota is contingent on the full return of medical students to their classrooms by the end of March, according to a report by Yonhap news agency.
The decision follows sustained protests from medical students, who have been boycotting classes and taking leaves of absence in opposition to the government’s initiative to expand medical school admissions. The ongoing walkout has raised concerns about disruptions to the country’s healthcare system and medical education.
Last month, the Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Graduate School of Medicine, a consultative body representing medical school deans nationwide, proposed that they would work to persuade students to return if the government revised the enrollment quota back to 3,058. Similarly, the presidents of 40 universities with medical colleges held an online meeting on Wednesday and formally submitted the same recommendation to the government.
Minister Lee emphasized that the government respects the recommendations made by university leaders, provided that all medical students resume their studies by the stipulated deadline. He also made it clear that failure to comply with this condition would result in the reinstatement of the proposed quota increase.
The government’s decision underscores the urgency of stabilizing the healthcare system, as over 10,000 junior doctors continue their walkout. The administration is now awaiting the response of the medical students to determine the final course of action regarding medical school admissions.
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