Minister Cho Kyu-hong: "Emergency room operation is difficult but maintainable... The figure of 2,000 additional staff is open for discussion"

Delaying Will Slow Expansion of Essential Medical Staff and Regions
Scientific Medical Workforce Projection System to Be Established by Year-End
"Emergency Rooms Face Operational Challenges but Can Be Maintained"

Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong speaking. Photo by Yonhap News

President Yoon Suk-yeol officially announced through a national briefing that the procedure for increasing medical school admissions has been completed. Meanwhile, Health and Welfare Minister Cho Kyu-hong stated, "The 2026 university admission plan has been announced with 2,000 students, but if the medical community submits a single proposal, discussions are possible." He reiterated the existing stance that while they do not insist on 2,000 students, postponement is not acceptable. Regarding the current emergency room situation, he also expressed that although there are operational difficulties, maintaining the system is still feasible.

On the 2nd, Minister Cho said on SBS Radio's 'Kim Tae-hyun's Political Show,' "The 2025 admission quota was originally 2,000 students, but after receiving opinions from national university presidents, it was reduced to 1,509."

Earlier, Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, proposed postponing the increase in medical school admissions for the 2026 academic year and reconsidering it. However, after review, the government and the presidential office decided not to accept Han's proposal. Minister Cho stated that the Ministry of Health and Welfare shares the government's position. He explained, "If the increase in medical school admissions is postponed, the expansion of essential medical personnel and regional medical staff will be delayed, making it difficult to accept."

Minister Cho emphasized that they are not insisting on 2,000 students, saying, "If the medical community presents a reasonable proposal, the scale itself can be adjusted." He added, "Doctors want scientific and logical estimates, so the Medical Reform Special Committee will create a scientific medical workforce estimation system by the end of this year," and anticipated that this could be utilized in policies related to medical school admissions and supply and demand.

The Presidential Medical Reform Special Committee held its 6th meeting on the 30th of last month and deliberated and approved the 'First Implementation Plan for Medical Reform.' The medical community has expressed a stance of non-participation. Minister Cho urged the Korean Medical Association and others to participate, emphasizing, "It is important to create detailed implementation plans for the medical reform. (Although the government operates it,) separate bilateral consultations with the medical community are also possible."

Meanwhile, Minister Cho stated that although there are operational difficulties regarding the emergency room situation, maintaining it is possible. He said, "The union's collective action has been resolved through negotiation, and the number of COVID-19 patients is also on the decline." Regarding concerns that emergency rooms might be crowded during the Chuseok holiday, he said, "We will support 4,000 hospitals and clinics to remain open and provide support for military doctors and public health doctors. We will also support labor costs," and urged, "During Chuseok, please yield emergency rooms to severe patients and visit local clinics." He added, "We will do our best to establish an emergency medical system in cooperation with local governments."