Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs, "Uncertainty Resolved by Court Decision"
Proposes "Meeting Without Unrealistic Preconditions" to Medical Community
Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, is giving a briefing on the current issue of medical school expansion on the 19th at the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]
The Presidential Office stated on the 19th, "The government will swiftly complete the related procedures, including changes to the 2025 academic year college entrance examination implementation plan," and urged, "Each university should also do their best to ensure there are no disruptions to next year's admissions."
Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, held a briefing that afternoon regarding the Seoul High Court's decision on the 16th to dismiss and reject the suspension of execution request filed by medical school professors and students concerning the increase in medical school admissions. He urged each university to "promptly complete the revision of medical school enrollment regulations."
Regarding the court's decision, Senior Secretary Jang first commented, "We are paying close attention to the outcome of this decision, and it is fortunate that the uncertainty faced by examinees and parents who have been preparing anxiously for university admissions has been resolved." He added, "This decision confirms from the perspective of the overall public interest that the government's increase in medical school admissions is necessary and urgent policy, and acknowledges within judicial procedures the legality and legitimacy of the government's ongoing research and discussions to increase medical school admissions as part of healthcare reform."
Senior Secretary Jang expressed concern over the prolonged collective actions in the medical community and urged a return to work. He requested residents and medical students, "Since the issue of increasing medical school admissions has been settled, even if there are unsatisfactory aspects, please return to your positions and actively present your opinions."
He stated, "Even if you left the field three months ago to participate in collective actions, now is the time to decide whether to return based on individual judgment," and pointed out, "There should be no organized obstruction to decisions that have a significant impact on each individual's future."
He also said, "Residents must return by the 20th to obtain their specialist qualifications next year," adding, "If there are unavoidable reasons such as vacation, leave, or sick leave, please explain to your training hospital, and if the reasons are accepted, some adjustments may be possible. Please return to the patients who are eagerly waiting and complete your remaining training."
Addressing medical students, Senior Secretary Jang said, "Universities have resumed classes since April, but ongoing class refusals are raising concerns about failing grades," and conveyed, "The government and universities will consider ways to minimize disadvantages for students who return early."
To the medical community, he stated, "The government is always open to dialogue," and proposed, "We suggest meetings for dialogue first without unrealistic preconditions such as a complete reconsideration of the increase in medical school admissions or a one-year postponement."
Earlier, on the 16th, the Seoul High Court dismissed the suspension of execution requests filed by medical school professors, residents, and examinees, and rejected the request filed by medical students in the appeal trial concerning the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare ministers regarding the increase and allocation of medical school admissions.
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