Presidential Office: "Medical School Admission Quotas Practically Confirmed... Please Complete University Regulation Revisions" (Comprehensive)

Senior Secretary for Social Affairs: "Uncertainty Resolved by Court Decision"
Proposal for "Meeting Without Preconditions" to Medical Community
Administrative Measures for Departing Residents Depend on Behavioral Changes

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]

On the 19th, the Presidential Office stated, "The government will promptly complete the procedures related to changes in the 2025 academic year college entrance examination implementation plan," and urged, "We ask each university to do their best to ensure there are no disruptions in next year's admissions."

Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, held a briefing that afternoon regarding the recent Seoul High Court's dismissal and rejection of the injunction requests filed by medical school professors and students concerning the increase in medical school admissions. He urged each university to "swiftly complete the revision of medical school enrollment regulations."

Earlier, on the 16th, the Seoul High Court dismissed the injunction requests filed by medical school professors, residents, and examinees, and rejected the request filed by medical students in the appellate trial concerning the injunction against the increase and distribution of medical school admissions, which were filed against the Ministry of Education and the Minister of Health and Welfare.

First, Senior Secretary Jang evaluated the court's decision, saying, "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 that the government's increase in medical school admissions is a necessary and urgent policy from the perspective of the overall public interest, and that the government has continuously conducted research and discussions to increase medical school admissions, thereby recognizing the legality and legitimacy of the medical reform process within judicial procedures."

"Stop the Medical School Admission Increase Litigation and Public Opinion Battles and Come Together"

Senior Secretary Jang expressed concern over the prolonged collective actions by the medical community and urged residents and others who have left medical sites to return. He requested, "Even now, please stop the exhausting litigation and public opinion battles surrounding the increase in medical school admissions, come together with the government, and engage in discussions on practical alternatives for medical system reform."

In particular, he urged residents and medical students, "Since the issue of increasing medical school admissions has been settled, even if there are unsatisfactory parts, please return to your positions and actively present your opinions."

Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, is giving a briefing on current issues including the increase in medical school admissions at the open lounge of the Presidential Office building in Yongsan, Seoul, on the 23rd. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Senior Secretary Jang said, "Even if you left the site three months ago to participate in collective actions, now is the time to decide whether to return based on your own 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," and added, "If there are unavoidable reasons such as vacation, leave, or sick leave, please explain to your training hospital, and if the reasons are recognized, 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 class refusals continue, raising concerns about failing grades," and conveyed, "The government and universities will work to minimize disadvantages for students who return early."

"Final Review of Timing and Method of Resident License Suspension"

To the medical community, he said, "The government is always open to dialogue," and proposed, "We suggest meetings for dialogue first without unrealistic preconditions such as re-examining the increase in medical school admissions from scratch or a one-year grace period."

Regarding a reporter's question about whether administrative measures such as license suspension would be taken if residents do not respond to the government's call to return, a Presidential Office official said, "We consider that the medical school admission quota for next year has been practically finalized, and the remaining procedures must be completed," adding, "We believe that the reasons underlying the collective actions have been somewhat resolved."

The official said, "Tomorrow marks three months since the residents began their collective actions," and continued, "Of course, there are individual circumstances to be explained, and the timing of training gaps may vary individually, but whether administrative measures are taken against residents ultimately depends on whether their behavior changes around this three-month mark." He added, "The health authorities are currently conducting a final review of the timing, level, and method of the measures."