The government and the medical community reached a consensus to discuss the quota for medical schools for the 2027 academic year at the Medical Workforce Supply Forecast Committee (Forecast Committee). However, there are differences in both sides' calculations regarding how to compose the Forecast Committee members and their roles. The government plans to reflect various opinions in the Forecast Committee, while the medical community aims to maximize their influence.
On the 13th, the Ministry of Health and Welfare received recommendations for Forecast Committee members from medical associations. It is reported that the Korean Medical Association (KMA), the Korean Hospital Association (KHA), the Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Graduate Schools (KAMC), and the Korean Medical Society are among those that recommended members to the Forecast Committee. After verifying the qualifications of the recommended individuals, the Ministry is expected to launch the Forecast Committee as early as next month.
The government and the medical community are divided over the members of the Forecast Committee. The Forecast Committee is a government-affiliated body that estimates the appropriate number of medical personnel. It will consist of one Chairperson and 15 Commissioners. The majority (8 members) will come from candidates recommended by the medical supply organizations, while the remainder will consist of experts recommended by health-related academic societies, patient organizations, and research institutions.
The government aims to diversify the composition of the Forecast Committee members. To this end, it has requested medical organizations, including the KMA and KHA, as well as the Korean Medical Society, the Korean Council of Professors of Medicine, and the Korean Association of Medical Residents, to recommend members for the Forecast Committee. A government official noted, "We plan to appoint 8 members as Commissioners from the individuals recommended by these organizations."
The KMA is opposing this, saying it is "a division within the medical community." In the current phase of conflict between the government and the KMA, the medical community should speak with one voice; however, if different organizations select members for the Forecast Committee, they could end up expressing differing opinions.
This time, the KMA recommended 7 members for the Forecast Committee to the Ministry of Health and Welfare. It argues that of the 8 Commissioners allocated to the medical community, 7 should be individuals they have recommended in order to assert their opinions in the context of the ongoing conflict with the government. The KMA insists that only legal professional organizations, such as the KMA and the KHA, should be able to recommend members for the Forecast Committee, and has requested a legal interpretation regarding the composition of the Forecast Committee from the Ministry of Legislation.
There are also differing opinions regarding the role of the Forecast Committee. The Ministry of Health and Welfare holds that the Forecast Committee is an advisory and deliberative body. While it respects the opinions of the Forecast Committee, it will not ultimately determine the quota for medical schools for the 2027 academic year within the Forecast Committee. Conversely, the medical community believes that the Forecast Committee should have decision-making authority. A medical community representative stated, "There are various perspectives on how to view the physician supply issue," and added, "There is a need for government officials to incorporate the medical community’s views in the way they make healthcare policy decisions."
Meanwhile, universities plan to inform applicants about the admission guidelines reflecting the quota for medical schools for the 2026 academic year by the end of this month. Once universities submit their college admission plans, the Korean Council for University Education will review and finalize them. Universities will then post the admission guidelines on their websites and begin accepting applications for early admissions in September. As a result, next year, students of the classes of 24, 25, and 26 will attend classes simultaneously.