South Korean court denies bid to block medical school admissions boost

Post by : Elena Malik

Photo : AP

The Seoul High Court has declined a request from striking doctors and other opponents for an injunction to thwart a government plan to significantly augment medical school admissions. The contentious plan, slated to increase the medical school enrollment quota by 2,000 next year, from the current cap of 3,058, received judicial affirmation on Thursday.

A protracted standoff between the government and dissenting doctors has unsettled South Korea's medical landscape for months. Since February, over 10,000 junior doctors have staged a strike in protest against the plan.

The Seoul High Court's dismissal of the injunction plea has further intensified tensions. Lee Byung-chul, legal representative for the doctors, has indicated intentions to appeal the ruling to the Supreme Court, the apex judicial body of the country.

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Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has lauded the court's decision, hailing it as a "wise ruling" and expressing gratitude for the judiciary's intervention. He has pledged that the government will proceed with finalizing medical school admission plans for the 2025 academic year.

While the striking doctors constitute a minority within South Korea's medical community, their absence has had significant ramifications, particularly in major hospitals where they account for a substantial proportion of medical staff.

Authorities defend the expansion plan as a necessary measure to address the challenges posed by the nation's rapidly aging population and the relatively low doctor-to-population ratio compared to other developed countries.

However, critics, including dissenting doctors, argue that the sudden influx of students would overwhelm existing educational infrastructure and compromise the quality of medical services. Concerns also abound regarding increased competition among doctors, potentially leading to unnecessary treatments and income reductions.

Government officials initially contemplated punitive measures, such as suspending the licenses of striking doctors. However, they later opted for a conciliatory approach, suspending administrative actions to facilitate dialogue with the protesting medical professionals.