Presidential office reiterates calls for dialogue with medical community amid prolonged strike

SEOUL, Sept. 19 (Yonhap) -- The presidential office on Thursday urged the medical community to come forward for dialogue to end a monthslong walkout but maintained its stance that the government's plan to raise the medical school admissions quota for 2025 is non-negotiable.

Jang Sang-yoon, senior presidential secretary for social policy, made the remark during a briefing at the presidential office, saying the government is open to readjusting the admissions quota for 2026 but not for next year.

"The medical community should not put off resolving the issue by presenting preconditions to the proposal on the consultative body, including a change in the government's stance," he said, stressing that doctors have a "duty" to the public.

The government and the ruling party earlier proposed the medical community join a consultative body to discuss the government's medical reform plan that centers on raising the medical school admissions quota to around 2,000 annually for the next five years or so.

Jang also said the government "remains flexible" on the quota for 2026 and forward, and is open to discussing "scientifically grounded and reasonable proposals brought forward by the medical community."

A majority of trainee doctors have left their workplaces since February in protest of the government's plan to drastically increase the medical school admissions quota beginning next year.

julesyi@yna.co.kr
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