South Korea's Medical School Admission Controversy

South Korea's presidential office is open to revising a controversial plan to increase medical school admissions, which has sparked widespread protests from doctors. Thousands of trainee doctors walked off their jobs in February. Despite the backlash, many South Koreans support the increase, though they criticize the government's handling of the situation.

South Korea's presidential office announced Friday its willingness to revisit a contentious plan aimed at increasing medical school admissions, a proposal that has incited nationwide protests from the medical community.

'The discussion on medical school quotas can start from scratch if the medical community presents a reasonable suggestion,' the office stated, urging doctors to engage in dialogue even as it reiterated that the plan would not be revoked outright. Thousands of trainee doctors, including interns and residents, walked off their jobs in February in opposition to the plan, which would add 2,000 medical students annually starting next year to address a projected shortage of healthcare professionals in one of the world's fastest aging societies.

Despite the protests, polls indicate public support for increasing medical school admissions. A Gallup Korea poll released Friday showed more than half of respondents favor the increase for 2025. However, 64% criticized the government's handling of the issue, with President Yoon Suk Yeol's disapproval rating at 67%. In response to the shortage, the health ministry has begun deploying military doctors to fill gaps, though it disputes claims that the healthcare system is on the brink of collapse.

(With inputs from agencies.)