Last week, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced its decision to increase the quota for admission to medical schools by 2,000 places, to 5,588 places starting next year.

According to the Ministry, the measure aims to address the shortage of medical services in rural areas and in essential specialties.

However, the plan faces fierce opposition from doctors’ groups, including those of doctors-in-training, who claim that the government did not consult with them beforehand and that the increase will only lead to the erosion of the quality of education and services.

The South Korean Medical Association, a major lobby group in the country’s healthcare sector, warned that it would stage a nationwide strike.

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