Gov't, schools accelerate efforts to enhance medical education

People attend an information briefing on admissions trends hosted by Jongro Academy at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul, Sunday, following the announcement of the medical school enrollment expansion. Yonhap

The government and universities that run medical schools nationwide are expediting improvements to medical education conditions, in response to concerns about a possible decline in quality arising from the government's decision to increase the medical school quota by 2,000 next year.

The Ministry of Education announced, Sunday, that it will conduct a survey by April 8 for the 32 medical schools that have increased admissions for the 2025 school year. The survey aims to assess the current educational conditions and plans of medical schools.

Following the ministry's March 20 announcement of the allocation results for the 2,000 additional students, it organized the items for the survey in six days. The official documents were sent to universities on Tuesday. The survey will be completed within two weeks of sending the official document, according to the ministry.

The government will investigate the need for expansion or new construction of classrooms and laboratories over the next six years, starting from next year until 2030. Additionally, it will determine the number of additional faculty members to be hired and figure out other necessary learning facilities needed.

With the admissions quota for the 32 medical schools, excluding eight in Seoul, set to increase by at least seven and up to 151 students, significant investments in facilities and personnel are expected to be requested by medical schools.

The government's accelerated investigation into the demands for improvements in medical school education conditions appears to be a measure to address concerns from medical circles.

In response to the increasing number of new medical students, the government plans to swiftly announce its financial support plan to address opposition by doctors.

Medical school professors and students hold pickets to oppose the government's decision to raise the medical school quota at a classroom in Pusan National University's Yangsan Campus in South Gyeongsang Province, March 15. Yonhap

Medical schools nationwide are also intensifying efforts to expand classrooms and research centers to accommodate the increased number of students.

Chungbuk National University, with the most significant increase in medical school admissions from 49 to 200, is reportedly considering constructing a fourth medical school building.

Yeungnam University, with admissions increasing from 76 to 120 students, plans to invest 44 billion won ($32.65 million) to expand its medical school research center.

Ulsan University is currently renovating the Hanmaeum Center, a culture center in Ulsan’s Dong District, into a space for medical classrooms and laboratories, in preparations for classes starting in March next year.

Jeju National University is also contemplating expanding its current medical school lecture hall to secure additional classrooms and laboratories.

Inha University plans to prioritize hiring teachers responsible for the Department of Medical Education and Medical Humanities, essential medical subjects.

However, despite the government and universities taking follow-up measures to increase the medical school quota, concerns persist among doctors and educators.

According to Choi Joong-kook, president of the Chungbuk National University Medical School Professors' Council, the university’s third medical school building was just inaugurated last month, after a four-year construction period following a budget allocation.

"It is quite irresponsible for the school to plan the construction of a fourth medical school building when there is no space available for it," Choi said.

Moreover, there are growing voices within the ruling People Power Party advocating for flexibility in addressing this issue rather than sticking rigidly to the 2,000 quota increase.

This move further exacerbates concerns within the medical sector that a reduction in the scale of increase after investing in facilities or hiring professors based on the current 2,000 additional employees could prove to be a misstep.