The Seoul High Court in Seocho District, Seoul, Thursday / Yonhap

An appellate court in Seoul rejected an injunction, Thursday, filed by the medical community to halt the government's plan to increase the medical school admissions quota by 2,000 for next year.

While the first-ever quota increase in 27 years appears to be on track, concerns are growing that the already heated dispute between the government and doctors over this issue will intensify further.

Eighteen individuals, including medical school professors, trainee doctors, medical students, and examinees preparing for medical school, took legal action against the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education. They filed an injunction to halt the proposed increase in the medical school quota.

The Seoul High Court chose to reject the injunction, expressing concerns that suspending the increased medical school quota could significantly harm public welfare by hindering the recruitment of essential medical personnel.

Furthermore, the court determined that professors, trainee doctors and examinees lacked the standing to apply for a suspension of execution, as they are not directly connected to the quota hike plan.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, center, speaks during a national address at the Government Complex in Seoul, Thursday. Yonhap

The government welcomed the court's decision.

"Today's decision will enable the government to accelerate efforts for the medical school quota expansion and medical reform, which is a crucial step to overcoming a significant crisis," Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said during a national address.

The government announced the plan in February to increase the number of medical students by 2,000 every year for five years from 2025. This move was part of efforts to tackle chronic shortages in crucial yet less-favored medical specialties, as well as to improve health care access in rural areas.

To expedite the plan, the government emphasized its commitment to swiftly finalize the process related to medical school admissions for the 2025 academic year. It also urged each university to promptly update school regulations in line with the decision to increase the quota.

Han also stated that the government will provide active support to ensure that the Korean Council for University Education can approve the university admissions implementation plan and announce the enrollment numbers for each university by the scheduled deadline at the end of this month.

Furthermore, he urged medical school professors and trainee doctors to return to hospitals and fulfill their roles in patient care, criticizing their collective action for potentially jeopardizing patients' lives.

More than 90 percent of the nation's 13,000 trainee doctors have been staging walkouts since Feb. 20 to protest the government's plan. Additionally, some medical professors, holding senior positions at university hospitals, have initiated a weekly work stoppage, suspending outpatient clinics and surgeries.

A poll conducted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism indicates strong public support for the government's medical school admissions quota hike, with over 70 percent of Koreans expressing their approval.

According to the poll results released Thursday, 72.4 percent of Koreans supported the medical school quota hike, with 26.1 percent emphasizing that the reform is "strongly needed." Moreover, 78.7 percent of respondents expressed disagreement with the collective action taken by trainee doctors and medical professors.

A sign of a medical school in Seoul, Thursday / Yonhap

Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict between the government and the medical community shows no signs of ending, with protests expected to persist among medical students, trainee doctors and professors.

In responce to the court ruling, trainee doctors made it clear that they will not return to hospitals. Posts on an online community for doctors revealed that trainee doctors are largely unmoved by the court's decision, emphasizing a strengthened resolve to stand united in their cause.

Medical school students also stated their intention to continue boycotting classes, regardless of the court ruling.

Moreover, a lawyer representing the doctors announced immediate plans to appeal the decision in the Supreme Court, stressing the urgency for the nation's highest court to expedite a resolution.