Seoul: The South Korean government is set to downgrade its top-level “serious” health crisis alert, which was initially issued last year due to the mass resignation of trainee doctors, as hospital operations are gradually returning to normal, according to Health and Welfare Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Minister Jeong announced that the downgrade is expected to occur after the Chuseok holiday, which takes place in the second week of October. During an interview at the Korea National Organ, Tissue and Blood Management Organization (KONOS), Jeong stated, “If medical services remain stable through the holiday, the government will hold a crisis assessment meeting and adjust the alert level next month.”
The health alert was first elevated to the highest “serious” level on February 23 last year. This decision followed the resignation of thousands of trainee doctors who protested against a plan to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 students, aiming to reach nearly 5,000. The plan has since been retracted, with the 2026 quota reverting to the previous level of approximately 3,000 students.
Throughout this period, the government has maintained the alert status and supported an emergency medical system by allocating about 200 billion won (US$143 million) monthly from the national health insurance fund. This funding aimed to cover temporarily increased medical fees and ensure the continuation of essential services.
Minister Jeong noted that inpatient care at major hospitals has nearly reached pre-crisis levels, with surgeries and outpatient visits recovering to about 95 percent. However, she acknowledged that it would take additional time for the hospital system to fully normalize. Reinforcing regional, essential, and public health care remains a top priority for her administration.
Regarding healthcare reforms, Jeong discussed potential changes such as the introduction of a regional doctor system, the establishment of a public medical school, and the creation of new medical schools in underserved areas. “The government aims to prepare a draft plan by April next year, before the medical school quota for the 2027 academic year is finalized,” she added.