Seoul: President Lee Jae Myung on Thursday called for sufficient dialogue with trainee doctors to help resolve the prolonged medical impasse. Lee gave the instruction to his senior aides as thousands of trainee doctors have left their jobs since February last year in protest against the government's medical reform.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Lee emphasized the need to approach the issue from a long-term perspective, focusing on reforms that prioritize public health. He stated, "Regarding the medical crisis, which I consider the most difficult issue, I want you to explore all possible solutions." Lee argued that the issue should be addressed with the objective of determining the most desirable medical system for protecting public health rights, rather than serving the interests of any particular individual or organization.
The protest, which began in February last year, saw thousands of trainee doctors walking off their jobs and many medical students boycotting classes. This was in response to the government's decision to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 starting this year. Although the government later reversed its decision and decided to return the 2026 quota to the original level of approximately 3,000, many trainee doctors and medical students have not fully returned to hospitals and schools.