Jeong Eunkyung: "Establishment of Public Medical School Needed... Special Treatment for Returning Residents to Be Reviewed in a Balanced Manner"

Ahead of the confirmation hearing on the 18th, Jeong submits written answers to the National Assembly
Medical school admissions increase of 2,000: "Considerable social costs are being paid"
Restructuring tertiary hospitals and innovating resident training will continue

With the confirmation hearing for Jeong Eunkyung, nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, just one day away, Jeong has expressed her intention to actively pursue the establishment of a public medical school, which is one of President Lee Jaemyung's campaign pledges.

Jeong Eunkyung, nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, is answering questions from reporters as she arrives at the confirmation hearing preparation office set up on Namdaemunro, Jung-gu, Seoul, on the 30th of last month. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 17th, ahead of the confirmation hearing, Jeong submitted a written response to the National Assembly, stating, "I agree that a sustainable system for training specialized personnel in the public sector is necessary due to the chronic shortage of professionals in regional, essential, and public healthcare fields."

However, when asked about the introduction of the "regional doctor system" aimed at addressing medical disparities between regions, Jeong said, "Since there are various opinions, I believe it is necessary to proceed based on discussions and social consensus involving related organizations, including the medical community, the public, and experts."

She identified strengthening regional, essential, and public healthcare, resolving conflicts between the government and the medical community, and advancing healthcare reform as important tasks that Korean society must address.

Jeong emphasized that, for the normalization of the healthcare system, "the most important thing is to restore a cooperative relationship based on rebuilding trust with the medical community," and added, "I will prioritize the lives and health of the public and patients, communicate closely with various stakeholders in the medical field, and engage in open discussions to create a sustainable healthcare environment."

Regarding the previous administration's increase of 2,000 medical school admissions, she said, "The lack of social consensus and deliberation has resulted in considerable social costs," and stressed, "In the future, decisions on medical school admissions should be made through expert discussions by the Medical Workforce Supply and Demand Estimation Committee, as well as deliberations by a social consensus body that includes civic groups, patient organizations, and the medical community."

Jeong also made it clear that she intends to continue some of the healthcare reform policies pursued by the previous administration. Regarding the so-called "essential healthcare package," she said, "It is meaningful that structural reforms of the overall healthcare system, which had been delayed for a long time, have begun," and added, "Major reforms such as restructuring tertiary hospitals, innovating resident training, and improving low medical fees will be implemented without delay while listening to the opinions of the medical community."

When asked about claims that returning residents and medical students who are considering coming back should not receive special treatment, she responded, "I believe it is important to listen sufficiently to the opinions of residents and others through dialogue and to examine the issue in a balanced manner," and added, "Regarding improvements to the resident training environment, I will ensure thorough consultation by forming a training council that includes all stakeholders involved in training."

Regarding the possibility of holding an additional national medical licensing exam as demanded by medical students, she added, "This issue should be comprehensively reviewed, not only in terms of the supply and demand of medical personnel, but also regarding whether the necessary educational curriculum has been completed to qualify as a doctor, and the fairness of holding an additional exam."