Media reports suggest that South Korea is planning to make changes to medical reforms to resolve the ongoing walkout.

South Korea’s government is expected to adjust plans to raise medical school admissions in response to a walkout by junior doctors and in light of the ruling party’s recent election defeat. The healthcare system has been strained by a standoff between the government and doctors over increasing medical school admissions by 2,000 starting in 2025. Some medical school deans have proposed scaling back the increase by up to half to reach a compromise. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is set to announce the decision at a briefing at around 3 p.m. (0600 GMT) following an intra-agency meeting.

President Yoon Suk Yeol has advocated for adding more doctors as part of medical reforms, which have garnered public support due to shortages in medical professionals, particularly in rural areas and critical specialties like emergency care and pediatrics. The government’s plan to increase medical school admissions has been a key issue in recent legislative elections, where Yoon’s ruling party failed to secure a majority in the parliament. Despite efforts to display flexibility, the opposition-controlled parliament remains a challenge for the ruling party.

The stalemate between the government and doctors has escalated, prompting the need for adjustments in the proposed plans to address the concerns of healthcare professionals. The outcome of the government’s decision and how it will impact the ongoing dispute between the medical community and the authorities remains to be seen. President Yoon’s push for more doctors and the necessity of striking a balance between medical education and healthcare needs will likely continue to shape the discourse surrounding medical reforms in South Korea.