Health Minister Cho Kyu-hong holds a media briefing at the government complex in Seoul, Tuesday, adressing the government's decision to raise the annual enrollment quota at medical schools by 2,000, starting in 2025. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

The government will raise the annual enrollment quota at medical schools by 2,000 starting in 2025 from the current 3,058, Health Minister Cho Kyu-hong announced, Tuesday.

The ultimate goal is to ensure improved public access to medical services, particularly in rural areas, and to alleviate chronic shortages of physicians in critical fields such as pediatrics and emergency care.

Despite strong opposition from doctors, the Ministry of Health and Welfare made the decision during a health care policy meeting presided over by Cho. The meeting was attended by government officials, healthcare experts, as well as representatives of patients and consumers.

In response to the government's decision, the Korea Medical Association (KMA), a doctors' organization, issued a warning of a general strike following the conclusion of the Lunar New Year holiday on Feb. 12.

"Today's decision will serve as a momentum for the country's medical reforms," the health minister said during the meeting. "Now is the golden time to revive essential treatment fields and prepare for an aging society."

The total admissions quota of the 40 medical schools in Korea has remained unchanged at 3,058 since 2006.

The ministry has not yet determined the distribution of the additional 2,000 students among medical schools. The specifics will be disclosed later following consultations with the Ministry of Education.

The health minister said the government will prioritize efforts to increase the quota at medical schools situated outside the Seoul metropolitan area. This aligns with the primary goal of the policy, which is to address regional disparities and improve access to medical services in underserved areas.

The government has been seeking to increase the number of doctors in the country by raising the medical school enrollment quota, amid continued shortages of physicians in crucial areas such as pediatrics, emergency care and obstetrics, which are less popular among doctors due to a heavy workload and low pay compared to other popular fields such as plastic surgery. The move also aims to revive regional medical services and prepare for the nation's transition to an aged society.

President Yoon Suk Yeol speaks during a Cabinet meeting at the presidential office in Seoul, Tuesday. Courtesy of presidential office

"Expanding the number of doctors is an imperative task that cannot be continuously postponed," President Yoon Suk Yeol said during a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day, noting that the country is expected to need 15,000 more doctors by 2035 due to growing demand for health care spurred by an aging population.

During a media briefing held later in the day, Cho said, "By raising the medical school enrollment quota by 2,000 annually, the country will have 10,000 more doctors in 2035."

The government's push to increase the number of medical school students has been largely supported by the public and even opposition parties, following a number of instances where patients died in ambulances while looking for emergency rooms after being rejected by hospitals suffering from a shortage of doctors or beds.

A shortage of pediatricians has also forced many parents to wait for hours to see a doctor when their children are sick.

According to the health ministry, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in the country stood at 2.6, which is below the OECD average of 3.7. In addition, the number of medical school graduates stood at 7.2 per 100,000 people as of 2020, lower than the OECD average of 13.6.

A health ministry official emphasized that the government took into account the opinions of doctors' groups when formulating its medical reform policies. The official cited the policy packages announced on Feb. 1, aimed at reducing the legal risks stemming from medical accidents and establishing a more equitable compensation scheme for doctors for their services.

"We respect the medical circle and have communicated sufficiently with doctors to listen to their demands," the official said.

Despite the introduction of those policy packages, doctors' groups, including the KMA, remain unconvinced and continue to oppose the hike in medical school quotas. They have voiced concerns that increasing the number of medical school students might compromise the quality of education and training. Instead, they urge the government to concentrate on enhancing the working conditions of physicians and implementing better allocation strategies.

The KMA warned that it will go on a general strike if the government pushes ahead with its decision on the quota hike.

Lee Pil-soo, president of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), speaks during a press conference at the KMA building in Seoul, Tuesday, warning of general strikes in protest against the government's decision to raise the annual enrollment quota at medical schools by 2,000, starting in 2025. Yonhap

"We express regret over the government making a unilateral announcement without sufficient discussions and consultations with the medical circle," KMA President Lee Pil-soo said during a media conference.

On Monday, the Korean Intern Resident Association also announced that a survey conducted on around 10,000 intern and resident doctors showed that 88.2 percent of the respondents agreed with collective actions, including strikes, if the government proceeds with raising the medical school quota.

In 2020, the previous Moon Jae-in government eventually retracted its proposal to raise the medical school admissions quota by 4,000 over 10 years, after facing fierce protests by physicians and trainee doctors as well as medical school students.

The health ministry affirmed its commitment to responding firmly to any potential strikes by doctors in accordance with laws and principles.

The ministry warned the leadership of the KMA not to engage in collective actions or incite such steps. It warned that the government would utilize all available means, including administrative measures and legal actions, to respond to any unlawful behaviors that pose a threat to public health.

Those who violate such orders can have their licenses suspended under medical laws, or they can face imprisonment for up to five years or a fine of up to 15 million won ($11,300) under criminal laws, according to the ministry.