Researchers call for special support to prevent brain drain in basic science

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Basic science researchers have raised concerns that the Yoon Suk Yeol administration's plan to increase the number of medical students could pose a serious threat to the advancement of scientific technology in the country. They fear that the science sector may be marginalized as attention is predominantly focused on medical schools and education.

An association of basic science researchers across the country issued a statement on Monday, urging what they describe as "special countermeasures" to attract top students to science and engineering-based courses. They suggest measures such as offering school expenses to prevent these students from excessively opting for medical schools.

The statement came as the government plans to add 2,000 slots to the admissions quota of the country's 40 medical schools annually, starting next year. Doctors, medical professors, and students are protesting this plan, citing concerns over the potential harmful effects on medical education and training that the quota expansion could bring about.

The association claimed the Yoon administration’s policy to hike medical school quotas, coupled with its 15 percent cut to the nation's research and development (R&D) budget for this year, will deal a serious blow to the advancement of basic science and technology in the country, both in the short and long term.

“Without implementing special countermeasures, Korea may no longer be counted among the ranks of advanced nations in terms of scientific technology within the next 10 to 20 years,” the association said.

Stressing that the development of advanced technologies can only be achieved through consistent support for basic science, the association urged the government to enhance research-related infrastructure and expand support measures. This includes covering the school and living expenses of all postgraduate students in the field.

“In an era where scientific technology becomes paramount for a nation's supremacy, Korea's fate will hinge on the development of creative technologies,” the association said. “The collapse of basic science will become a reality if the medical school quota hike issue continues to take center stage.”