How far will the conflict between the medical community and the government go? … Health and Welfare Minister Cho Kyu-hong: ”It will be difficult to change the medical school enrollment quota in 2025” = South Korea

The South Korean government has once again stated that, regarding the increase in medical school enrollment, "If the medical community comes up with a reasonable alternative, we can reconsider the admission quota for the 2026 academic year from scratch. We cannot adjust the admission quota for the 2025 academic year."
Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hong appeared on the KBS TV program "KBS Sunday Diagnosis Live" on the 22nd and said, "The 2025 admission quota has already been closed for applications, so
"As I have said many times in 2026, if the medical community presents a reasonable alternative, we can consider it from a zero-base perspective," he said.
Regarding the "reasonable alternative" that the government is asking the medical community to come up with, Minister Cho said, "The government has announced a figure of 2,000 people, but this is unscientific and based on weak evidence, so
"I will ask the medical community what the scientifically based number of patients is," he said. "There are multiple stakeholders within the medical community, but it is unclear to come up with a single rational alternative (or
In response to the point that "it doesn't mean just one number," he replied, "At any rate, I think we can discuss it if the medical community presents a proposal."
Regarding the difficulties in establishing a consultation body between the ruling and opposition parties, the medical community, and the government, he said, "The government also shares the view that it is necessary and important, and the medical community is participating.
"If the government decides to join the council, the government will actively participate in the dialogue regardless of the form of the consultative body," he said. He was cautious about the medical community demanding an apology from the president or for those involved to be held accountable.
Minister Cho was cautious in his words, saying, "Given the dire medical situation, it is not appropriate for the head of medical policy to publicly announce his future."
In response to the question, "Are you prepared to apologize on behalf of the president?", he replied, "The people
"Of course, we apologize to the people of South Korea for the inconvenience they are experiencing due to the gap in medical care, but it is difficult for us to make any special comments regarding the demands of the opposition parties and others."