Government Announces Medical School Quota Allocation Results... Medical Community "Remains Silent for Now"

Medical School Quotas Expanded by 1,639 in Non-Capital Areas and 361 in Capital Areas
KMA: "Prime Minister to Announce Directly... Premature Discussions Are Inappropriate"

As the results of the 2025 academic year medical school student quota allocation were announced, the medical community appears to be taking a cautious approach in responding.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is delivering a statement on medical reform and the allocation of 2,000 medical school quotas at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 20th. Attending the announcement were Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance; Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education; Lee Sang-min, Minister of the Interior and Safety; Cho Kyu-hong, Minister of Health and Welfare; and Bang Ki-sun, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

On the 20th at 2 p.m., the government held a public address at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno-gu, Seoul, announcing the results of the 2025 academic year medical school student quota allocation. The total increase in quota is 2,000 students, with 1,639 additional seats allocated to non-metropolitan areas and 361 to metropolitan areas.

The medical community has expressed a position of responding cautiously to the government's announcement. Kim Kang-hyun, spokesperson for the Emergency Committee of the Korean Medical Association, said, "Since the Prime Minister announced it personally, we must respond carefully," adding, "It is difficult to make premature statements."

The medical community is expected to devise response measures through an emergency meeting. The Emergency Committee of the Korean Medical Association, the Korean Intern Resident Association, and the National Medical School Professors' Council plan to hold an online meeting at 8 p.m. that day with the medical school quota allocation results as the agenda. As the government’s announcement of quotas by each medical school effectively confirms the increase of 2,000 students, it is anticipated that the medical community, which has opposed this, will consider last-resort measures.

The Korean Hospital Association also expressed a cautious stance. A representative of the association said, "We plan to observe how the situation develops," but also stated, "We deeply express concern about the current situation, and the government should not only insist on principles and take a hardline stance but also listen to the concerns of the medical community and actively engage in dialogue. There is no change in this initial position."

Meanwhile, professors at Yonsei University College of Medicine issued a statement immediately after the government’s announcement, urging the government to withdraw the quota increase plan. They argued, "Increasing 67% of medical students within one year and deciding the allocation within a few weeks is a hasty policy that will degrade medical education to a developing country level," adding, "It is merely a political slogan that completely ignores educational conditions."

They continued, "Professors at Yonsei University College of Medicine declare that they absolutely cannot accept the announced quota increase plan and will devote their utmost efforts to creating proper conditions for medical education."