[2024 National Audit] Minister of Welfare Cho Gyu-hong: "Could not consult in advance on the proposal to shorten medical school curriculum"

"If the quality of education is guaranteed, there is no opposition"

The government proposed the plan the previous day to reduce the medical school education curriculum from the existing 6 years to 5 years, but it was revealed that there was no prior coordination with the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee's audit of the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 7th, when Baek Hye-ryun, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, asked whether there had been any inter-departmental consultation regarding the reduction of medical education, Minister Cho Kyu-hong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare replied, "There was no specific prior consultation." Minister Cho added, "I understand that it reflects the Ministry of Education's concerns about difficulties in the academic schedule and preventing gaps in medical personnel."

Regarding whether the Ministry of Health and Welfare agreed with the Ministry of Education's policy, Minister Cho said, "It is not a blanket transition to a 5-year system or a mandate that students entering in a specific year must complete 5 years. Rather, it allows shortening the education period within the scope that does not compromise the quality of education depending on the school's circumstances," adding, "The important thing is to guarantee the quality of medical education. If it is possible to shorten the time while ensuring quality, I do not oppose it."

In response, Representative Baek pointed out, "The general opinion among medical school professors is that even the 6-year course is insufficient. While trying to reform healthcare, we have now reached a stage that threatens the safety of the public with lower-quality medical care."

Minister Cho responded, "I believe that the quality of medical education should not decline, nor should low-quality doctors be produced as a result," adding, "However, as you are concerned, if the quality of medical care is lowered, I think there will be no case where the quality of education is compromised while shortening the education period."

When asked whether the responsibility for the current medical-professional conflict lies with the residents or the government, Minister Cho avoided a direct answer by saying, "(The medical community and the government) need to work together to resolve the issue."

However, when Representative Baek demanded a clear answer, Minister Cho said, "I think the responsibility lies both with the medical community and the government," attributing responsibility to both sides.