Medical School Professors' Council: "It's too late to cancel next year's increase, starting from 2026? ... Logically flawed"

"Position That Next Year's Increase Can Be Canceled Except for the Government"

The government reaffirmed its stance that canceling the increase in medical school quotas for 2025 is impossible, but the Korean Association of Medical School Professors (Jeonui Gyohyeop) maintained its position that it will not participate in the ruling and opposition parliamentary council without the cancellation of next year's quota increase.

Kim Seong-geun, spokesperson for Jeonui Gyohyeop, said on the 9th on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' program, "(The increase in medical school quotas for 2025) is wrong, but since some time has already passed, to proceed as is and only discuss from then on is not logically sound."

The day before, the Presidential Office stated that regarding the Korean Medical Association's (KMA) demand to cancel the 2025 and 2026 medical school quota increases as a condition for participating in the 'ruling and opposition parliamentary council,' the increase for next year is confirmed and realistically cannot be discussed. However, it mentioned that if the medical community proposes reasonable plans for the 2026 increase and beyond, discussions can take place.

The Emergency Response Committee of Chungbuk National University Hospital and Medical School held a press conference in front of the Chungbuk National University Headquarters on the morning of the 2nd, urging the withdrawal of the medical school expansion. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article.

Spokesperson Kim said, "Our biggest concern as professors is whether education will be properly conducted next year," adding, "especially for the eight medical schools in Seoul, where there is no additional support, but the number of students will double and they must receive education. Since facilities and personnel have not been increased, we are truly very worried."

Currently, Jeonui Gyohyeop is demanding an apology from President Yoon Seok-yeol. Kim stated, "Ultimately, this result came about because the increase of 2,000 medical school quotas was pushed through," and argued, "As the person ultimately responsible for pushing the policy, it is appropriate for the president to apologize to the public."

Kim also emphasized that since the government previously changed the 2025 medical school quota by applying an exception clause, the same should be applied this time to cancel next year's quota increase plan. He said, "Regarding admissions, changes can be made depending on various circumstances. During the COVID-19 situation, admissions were postponed by two weeks," adding, "It can be arranged so that those applying early will not suffer significant harm."

Furthermore, Kim said, "The Democratic Party and the Reform New Party have also said that the 2025 academic year quota should be discussed, and Ahn Cheol-soo of the People Power Party has suggested deferring 2025," adding, "Ultimately, except for the government, the rest seem to maintain a stance that the 2025 quota issue can be discussed again, so I think a consensus can be reached."