PM says gov't flexible over medical school quota hike
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks during an interview in his residence in Seoul, April 7. Yonhap
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Sunday the government remains flexible over its plan to boost the medical school admissions quota next year amid an ongoing walkout by trainee doctors in protest of the plan.
Thousands of trainee doctors nationwide have left their workplaces since Feb. 20 to protest the plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000 seats next year, resulting in a prolonged standoff between doctors and the government.
Last Thursday, President Yoon Suk Yeol met with one of the leaders of the trainee doctors and promised to "respect" their position on the government's push for medical reform, including the plan to increase the medical school quota by 2,000 from the current 3,058.
"The government maintains a clear stance that it will not bury itself in numbers," Han said in an interview with Yonhap News Agency at his residence in Seoul. "The government holds a flexible stance on all issues, including the medical school quota."
Han expressed hopes to hold talks with doctors with a "flexible" stance, noting that if it is difficult for them to come up with a unified proposal to the government, a presidential committee could be formed for discussions.
The government is pushing to increase the admissions quota to address a shortage of doctors, particularly in rural areas and essential medical fields. But doctors argue the hike would compromise the quality of medical education and services, and create a surplus of physicians.
On Yoon's meeting with Park Dan, the head of an emergency committee at the Korea Intern Resident Association, Han said it was "very meaningful" that a person representing trainee doctors began dialogue with the president.
"The government is making various efforts to hold talks with an open mind," he said.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks in his residence in Seoul, April 7. Yonhap
Han said efforts were under way to quickly form a social consultative body to discuss medical reform in general, including the increase in medical school admissions.
He expressed regret at emergency patients who have died after failing to receive treatment amid the ongoing walkout, vowing to bolster the medical system through the medical reform.
Regarding North Korea, Han said the government remains open to dialogue but noted that Pyongyang has instead continued to undertake provocations, prompting Seoul to push for a policy to deter the North by cooperating with countries that share common values.
On Russia's recent veto at the U.N. Security Council against extending the mandate of a panel monitoring sanctions against the North, Han said it was a "very unfortunate" move in protecting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula and the world.
When asked about the possible impact the outcome of the November U.S. presidential election could have on relations with Seoul, Han said the two countries' ties must grow stronger and cannot be weakened under any circumstances.
He also stressed the importance of trilateral cooperation between South Korea, China and Japan in maintaining peace and security in East Asia as the three countries are in talks to hold a three-way summit in Seoul next month.
"There hasn't been much difference in opinion in swiftly holding a South Korea-China-Japan summit between the two countries," Han said, referring to recent high-level talks between Seoul and Beijing. "Although the schedule has yet to be finalized, the three countries are in close consultations." (Yonhap)