Government and the ruling party reach consensus on legislation aimed at enhancing essential healthcare services

The government of South Korea has announced plans to pass two new acts aimed at strengthening essential medical care and narrowing regional discrepancies in the medical field. This decision comes after a standoff between the government and the medical community, which began in February 2024.

The collective action by thousands of trainee doctors and many medical students saw a boycott of jobs and classes in protest against the government's initial plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000, bringing the total to around 5,000 each year starting in 2025. However, the government has now reversed its course, restoring the 2026 admissions quota to its previous level of about 3,000.

The special act on essential and regional health care will be moved forward as part of medical reform. Notably, the regional doctor training act will require medical schools to admit a certain proportion of students through a special track designated for regional doctors. This move is aimed at addressing the low rate of return to local training hospitals in essential fields such as pediatrics.

DP Rep. Lee Soo-jin has expressed concerns over this issue, highlighting the importance of junior doctors returning to hospitals. Lee also stressed the need for the essential health care act and the regional doctor act to be passed within the current session to prevent problems from recurring.

In addition to these measures, the government plans to make amendments to the law to better protect patients. This is a response to concerns raised by the medical community and the public following the standoff. The meeting to discuss these legislative tasks was attended by officials from the health ministry, the presidential office, and the DP at the National Assembly.

Students admitted through this special track will receive full tuition but will be required to work at public health institutions for a certain period after obtaining their medical license. This provision is intended to ensure that the benefits of the increased medical workforce are felt in underserved areas.

Lee mentioned the government's commitment to this cause, emphasizing the need for these acts to be passed to address issues within the medical community and provide better care for patients across the country. This new approach marks a significant shift in the government's stance on medical education and care, and it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the medical field in the coming years.