2024-02-16 21:00:00
- The South Korean government has decided to significantly increase the capacity of medical schools in anticipation of the rapid aging of society.
- Amid concerns about the shortage of doctors, this policy should have been welcomed, but medical associations have strongly opposed it.
- In the first place, in South Korea, which is a highly educated society,, the value system that people become doctors is for “money” and “honor” is pervasive. We are starting to find ourselves in a situation where even if we increase the capacity, we will not be able to provide the necessary medical care. (JBpress)
(Toshiharu Hirai: Assistant Professor, Hanyang Women’s University, South Korea)
South Korea, which has the lowest birth rate in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, is aging at an alarming rate. This has become a major social problem, with concerns that there will be a serious shortage of doctors in the near future. Meanwhile, on February 6, the South Korean government decided to increase the capacity of medical schools starting in 2025. The number of employees will be increased by 2,000 from the current 3,058 to 5,058.
Japan is no stranger to the shortage of doctors due to its aging population. The aging of doctors themselves has become a social issue, and increasing the number of doctors is essential in both Japan and South Korea. For comparison, in Japan, the number of students admitted to medical schools increased from 7,793 to 9,420 in the 10 years from 2008 to 2017. Currently, the maximum number of participants is still set at 9,420.
The number of doctors per 1,000 people is 2.6 in both Japan and South Korea (2021), which is far below the OECD average of 3.7. Although Japan has been increasing the capacity of medical schools, it is still far from the OECD average level. South Korea’s decision to increase medical school capacity should be welcomed as it prepares for the country’s rapid transition to an aging society.
However, this decision to increase the number of students in medical schools has been met with fierce opposition in South Korean society.
First, the doctors on the ground are strongly against it. On February 7, the day after the capacity increase was announced, the Korean Medical Association announced a general strike and other collective actions. An extraordinary general meeting of members of the Diet was held and an emergency committee was established to prevent the increase in the number of members. On the 15th, rallies were held in various locations by 16 medical associations nationwide.
Additionally, specialized doctors (equivalent to Japanese trainee doctors) are also objecting to the increase in capacity. The Korean Medical Association held an extraordinary general meeting of its members online on the 12th, and debated through the night to prevent the increase in the number of members.
If doctors participate in protest rallies, there is a risk that there will be a shortage of doctors in the medical field during that time and that they will not be able to provide adequate care to patients. There is a possibility that doctors may go on strike, and the South Korean government has announced that it will take countermeasures. If the strike goes ahead, the company will issue orders to return to work, and if they do not comply, it will take strong measures such as revoking medical licenses.
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