Why Yoon insists on 2,000 new med school slots

President Yoon Suk Yeol's speech about the government's medical reform plan is displayed on a TV screen at a general hospital in Seoul, Monday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

During a televised public address on Monday, President Yoon Suk Yeol reiterated his firm belief that Korea must increase the medical school admissions quota by 2,000 per year to address a looming doctor shortage despite negative sentiment toward his "obsession" by some members of the public as well as doctors.

Political analysts suggest that Yoon's determined push reflects his tendency to pursue what he personally believes is right, rather than being overly concerned about his approval ratings.

"I don't know exactly what's on his mind, but one thing is clear: Yoon's approach differs from those of past leaders, who often made substantial concessions before elections to show that they are listening to voters' opinions. Yoon appears to be an exception," said Shin Yul, a professor of political science at Myongji University.

Yoon's public address to the nation came just nine days before the April 10 general elections, which will select 300 National Assembly members.

A considerable portion of the 51-minute speech was devoted to his commitment to continue with the medical school plan as well as the broader medical reform agenda, even in the face of opposition to these unpopular policies.

"During my entire career as a civil servant and now as the president, I have never chosen the easy path. I have boldly implemented even unpopular policies that others would have advised me to avoid, because they were the right choice for the people and the nation's interest," Yoon said, citing past instances where his no-compromise stance proved effective.

The president mentioned how he had resolved the unionized cargo truck drivers' strike in 2022 by issuing return-to-work orders, without compromising with them. Additionally, his efforts to mend frayed ties with Japan last year, which in his words "initially raised concerns about his and his party's support rates," ultimately proved beneficial for the nation.

A patient watches a press briefing by unionized workers of general hospitals in Seoul at western Seoul's Severance Hospital, Monday. The union demanded that the government and doctors begin negotiations swiftly, as the remaining workers are suffering from overwork amid the prolonged strike of trainee doctors. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Lee Joon-han, a professor of political science at Incheon National University, commented that the president's unwavering stance on the 2,000 figure may be due to his concerns that making concessions would be perceived as another policy misstep by his administration.

"The recent controversies surrounding former Korean Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup and Hwang Sang-moo, former senior presidential secretary for civil and social affairs, both of whom eventually stepped down in response to public criticism, have put pressure on Yoon," Lee said.

The former envoy resigned abruptly on Friday amid controversies that he took the post despite ongoing investigations into his involvement in a high-stakes probe regarding the death of a Marine. In the previous week, Hwang resigned following controversial remarks to reporters about a knife attack on a journalist in 1988.

Lee said, "The president seems to think that if he makes any concessions on the medical school admissions quota hike, which would be seen as yet another acknowledgment of a policy misstep, that would not look good for him and the ruling party."

Following Yoon's public address, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) denounced the president's unyielding stance.

"President Yoon still remains obsessed with the number 2,000," DPK spokesperson Rep. Shin Hyung-young said during a press conference.

"We hoped that the speech would signal that the government is finally listening to public voices and would initiate a dialogue with the doctors to address the ongoing health care crisis. However, it turned out to be yet another empty speech that only confirmed the government's indifference to public opinion."

Even some members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) have also advocated for flexibility regarding this figure, expressing concern that the protracted medical crisis could hurt the party's performance in the upcoming elections.