Seoul: Health Minister nominee Jeong Eun-kyeong vowed Friday to pursue medical reforms that can "gain support from both the people and the medical community" amid signs that the prolonged standoff between the government and junior doctors may soon be resolved.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Jeong stated in a parliamentary confirmation hearing, "I will push for people-centered medical reform measures that can secure support from both the people and the medical community in a bid to ensure the sustainability of the national health care system." She emphasized the government's commitment to stabilizing the supply of the medical workforce in public and essential areas, as well as regions outside of Seoul. Jeong highlighted the importance of providing sufficient compensation and other measures to achieve these goals.
Jeong's comments come as expectations grow that the yearlong walkout by trainee doctors may soon conclude, following a decision by medical students nationwide to end their 17-month boycott of classes. The protest began in February 2024 after the government decided to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 to nearly 5,000 students starting this year. Although the government later decided to revert the 2026 quota back to the original level of approximately 3,000, many trainee doctors have yet to return fully to their hospital duties. However, medical students have announced their intention to resume classes.
Jeong proposed the introduction of a health care workforce supply and demand estimation committee to conduct scientific projections on the appropriate size of the workforce. She noted that the policy-making environment for the health care sector is fundamentally changing due to factors such as the economic slowdown, demographic shifts, public health crises, and advancements in technology like artificial intelligence.
Addressing other pressing issues, Jeong acknowledged the rising demand for elderly care services driven by rapid population aging and the persistently high rates of elderly poverty and suicide in South Korea. As a seasoned public health expert, Jeong previously led South Korea's response to the COVID-19 pandemic as the first commissioner of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency.