PM says increasing med school admissions by 2,000 is minimum necessary measure

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, center, gives a national address at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno District, Seoul, March 20. Yonhap

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said Wednesday the government's plan to increase the medical school enrollment quota by 2,000 is the necessary minimum measure to address an anticipated shortage of doctors.

Over 90 percent of the country's 13,000 junior doctors have stayed off the job for nearly a month, protesting the government's decision that they claim would compromise the quality of medical education and services, and lead to an oversupply of physicians.

The walkout disrupted hospital operations, including the cancellation of crucial surgeries.

"Even with an increase of 2,000 enrollments starting next year, the educational capacity of our medical schools is deemed sufficient," Han said during a national address at the government complex building in Seoul.

He referred to a study projecting a shortage of around 10,000 doctors by 2035 and emphasized that universities have urged the government to raise the medical school quota.

Han also cited a past case in 2000 when the government reduced medical school admissions by 315 slots due to opposition from the medical community.

"Our government painfully acknowledges the fact that compromises driven by political gains ultimately result in harm to the public," he said. (Yonhap)