Court accepts the need for more med students

The government gained legal validation to push on with its plan to increase medical student admissions quota after a three-month stalemate with the medical community defying the quota hike.

The government gained legal validation to push on with its plan to increase medical student admissions quota after a three-month stalemate with the medical community defying the quota hike. The Seoul High Court last week dismissed a motion by medical professors and trainee doctors for an injunction to stop the increase, citing a lack of requirements for the action.

The appellate court also rejected another motion by medical students for a similar injunction, because if the court issues an injunction, it can have a serious impact on “the interests of public welfare.” The court judgment paves the way for the government to press on with its plan to increase annual medical school admissions quota by 1,459 to 1,509.

Despite the High Court’s dismissal and rejection of the motions last Thursday, the current medical vacuum can hardly be addressed due to doctors and medical students’ persistent resistance to the hike.

Before adhering to their hardline stance, doctors must comprehend the court’s reasoning for its ruling. Unlike the lower court that immediately dismissed the two cases on the grounds that it does not meet the requirements for requesting an injunction, the higher court this time closely heard out the differing opinions from the medical community and the government to “save students from irrevocable damage.” The court demanded that the government present justifying documents for its proposed increase by 2,000. The medical community also submitted the background for its opposition, including the case in Japan. The bench came to conclude that increasing medical school students is necessary, given the dire shortage of physicians in essential medicine and regional hospitals, as wells the limitations of appropriating doctors available from the current pool. The court’s conclusion is in line with the findings in many opinion polls.

After the court’s decision, the hiked quota will be applied for next year’s admissions to medical schools, which will be published later this month. But the nationwide committee of medical professors threatened to adjust their work hours if the injunction is rejected. They plan to stage a collective walkout for a week after rotating days off starting last month. They will be adding fuel to the medical crisis on top of the prolonged crisis from the walkout of junior doctors.

The government’s role is critical to solving the conundrum. The court pointed out that the government’s research was “lacking and in some areas inappropriate.” The court also criticized the government for offering to lower the upper limit of the increase without presenting clear grounds.

President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed to push for medical reform. But he won’t be able to take a single step if he gains no support by neglecting the voices of the concerned parties.