7 out of 10 Koreans Say "Gradual Increase in Medical School Admissions is Appropriate"... Medical School Professors' Association Releases Survey Results

A survey revealed that 69% of the public believes that a gradual increase in medical school admissions is appropriate.

[Image source=National Council of Medical School Professors]

The Korean Association of Medical School Professors (KAMSP) commissioned Media Research to conduct a survey of 1,000 citizens nationwide regarding the 'expansion of medical school quotas.' 68.9% of respondents answered that 'a gradual increase in medical school quotas is appropriate.' The response 'a uniform increase is appropriate' was 22.6%, and 'don't know' was 8.4%.

Regarding the scientific basis for the policy to expand medical school quotas by 2,000 students, 44.9% answered 'strongly disagree,' and 16.5% answered 'somewhat disagree,' totaling 61.4% negative responses.

On the necessity to adjust the number of new medical students next year, 21.7% responded 'somewhat agree,' and 43.3% responded 'strongly agree,' totaling 65.0% positive responses.

When asked, "If the current conflict between the government and the medical community continues, how do you think the medical vacuum situation regarding essential medical services such as emergency room treatment restrictions will develop?" 64.5% of respondents answered, "It will worsen compared to now."

To the question, "Do you think President Yoon Seok-yeol properly understands the current medical vacuum situation?" 57.0% answered "strongly disagree," and 10.5% answered "somewhat disagree," totaling 67.4% negative responses.

KAMSP stated, "Now even the public is demanding change from the government, saying that the government's policy, including increasing medical school admissions, is wrong," and added, "Specialists and university professors who have done their best to minimize public harm so far are mentally and physically exhausted and no longer able to maintain the current situation."

They continued, "There will be no more citizens who will tolerate the government's foolishness that has thoroughly destroyed South Korea's world-class medical system in just six months," urging, "The government must make a decisive decision to resolve the situation."

Meanwhile, this survey was conducted from the 31st of last month to the 1st of this month, targeting 1,000 men and women aged 18 and older nationwide. The sampling error is ±3.1 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.