Seoul High Court Dismisses and Rejects Suspension of Medical School Expansion
Presidential Office Proposes Dialogue... No Consideration for Reexamination from Scratch
Im Hyeontak, President of Medical Association, Proposes Debate to President Yoon
As the conflict between the medical community and the government over the increase in medical school admissions prolongs, Im Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association, has counter-proposed a one-on-one live broadcast debate with President Yoon Seok-yeol.
On the 19th, Im Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), stated on his social media (SNS), "I welcome the presidential office's unconditional proposal for dialogue," and added, "I request a one-on-one live broadcast debate with President Yoon Seok-yeol that will be conducted openly and fairly (公明正大), visible to all the people."
This is interpreted as an immediate response to the same day’s briefing by Jang Sang-yoon, senior secretary for social affairs at the presidential office, who said, "The door for dialogue is always open. We propose a meeting for dialogue first without any unrealistic preconditions such as a complete reconsideration of the medical school admission increase." The briefing was held to convey the presidential office’s position on the Seoul High Court’s decision on April 16 to dismiss and reject the suspension of the enforcement regarding the increase in medical school admissions. The presidential office expressed relief at the court’s decision and stated that it would promptly complete related procedures, including changes to the 2025 college entrance examination plan.
Im’s remarks have become a topic of discussion because they were directed not at officials such as Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong or Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho, but at the highest authority, President Yoon. Attention is also focused on whether President Yoon will accept Im’s proposal.
Im Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Medical Association, requested a one-on-one live broadcast debate with President Yoon Suk-yeol. [Photo by Im Hyun-taek, captured from Facebook]
On the same day, Senior Secretary Jang also appealed to residents who had left the medical field to return. He 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, they should explain to their training hospital, and if the reasons are accepted, some adjustments can be made. We earnestly ask them to return to the patients who are desperately waiting and complete their remaining training." Regarding the collective leave of medical students, he said, "Universities have resumed classes since April, but as class refusal continues, concerns about failing are growing," and added, "The government and universities will work to minimize disadvantages for students who return early."
Meanwhile, on April 16, the Seoul High Court dismissed the applications for suspension of enforcement filed by medical school professors, residents, medical students, and examinees against the Minister of Education and the Minister of Health and Welfare regarding the increase and allocation of medical school admissions. The court dismissed the applications from medical school professors, residents, and examinees, and rejected the application from medical students. In response to the court’s judgment, Minister Cho said, "Along with the confirmation of the increase in medical school admissions, the government will focus its capabilities on improving educational conditions," adding, "Since last week, four specialized committees under the Medical Reform Special Committee have been fully activated. The government will intensively operate the special committee and specialized committees to thoroughly review reform tasks." The Medical Reform Special Committee is scheduled to hold a meeting this week to discuss improvement measures for essential medical service fees and the training environment for residents.
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