Agreement on Quota Adjustments Needed by End of February, Considering College Admission Schedule
Choi Sang-mok Expresses Willingness for Flexible Negotiations if Medical Community Participates
Cautious Opinions Persist Within Medical Community; Consensus Remains Uncertain
The government announced on the 10th that it will reconsider the expansion of medical school quotas for the 2026 academic year from scratch. However, analyses suggest that an agreement on quota adjustments must be reached by the end of February to align with the college admission schedule.
Choi Sang-mok, Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, emphasized at the 'Major Issues Resolution Meeting' held at the Government Seoul Office that day, "If the medical community participates in the dialogue, the scale of the 2026 medical school quota expansion can be flexibly negotiated from a zero base." This is interpreted as a willingness to renegotiate based on the currently planned quota expansion proposal as well as the demands of the medical community.
Discussions on quota adjustments must be completed by the end of February in accordance with the college admission pre-notification system to prevent confusion among examinees. Typically, the Korea Council for University Education compiles the recruitment numbers of each university and announces them in May, and the adjusted quotas this time are also expected to be disclosed along with the 2027 academic year college admission plan. Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, stated, "Although early February is ideal due to the admission schedule, the quotas must be finalized by February at the latest."
It remains uncertain whether the government and the medical community can reach a consensus within a short period. The Deputy Prime Minister emphasized, "We will communicate with an open mind to minimize confusion in admissions," but cautious opinions are still being raised within the medical community.
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