Court rejects doctors' appeal, almost confirming medical school quota expansion in 27 years

In a landmark decision, the Seoul High Court on Thursdday dismissed an appeal by medical professionals to halt the government's plan to increase medical school admissions by 2,000. This decision almost confirms the expansion, which will be the first increase in medical school quotas in 27 years.

The Seoul High Court rejected the injunction filed by medical students, professors, and resident doctors aimed at stopping the government's decision to expand and distribute medical school seats.

Following the court's ruling, the government is set to finalize the procedures for expanding medical school quotas as planned. Several universities, which had been awaiting the court's decision, are now amending their academic regulations to reflect the increased quotas.

Despite the dismissal of the appeal, the medical community is expected to continue its opposition.

Law firm Chan-Jong, representing the medical community, stated in a press release immediately following the ruling, "We will do our utmost to prepare for the Supreme Court re-appeal process."

The law firm also urged for a swift decision on the remaining six re-appeal cases for injunctions that are currently before the Seoul High Court.

Regarding the Supreme Court, which will ultimately decide on the injunctions, the law firm stated that as the highest court responsible for protecting fundamental rights and possessing the final review authority over government administrative actions, it hopes that it will review and make a final decision by May 31.

However, the physical timeline constraints make it unlikely for the Supreme Court to issue a ruling before universities finalize their quotas.

The appeal process involves several steps, including a review by the High Court, transferring documents to the Supreme Court, and assigning a bench, all of which are difficult to complete within the limited timeframe.

If the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) announces the approval of the increased quotas by May 31, the expansion of medical school seats for the 2025 academic year will be finalized.

The medical sector, embroiled in ongoing disputes with the government over this issue, has filed approximately 20 similar injunctions and provisional measures against the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education. However, none of these efforts have succeeded in court.

Previously, the Seoul Administrative Court dismissed the case on the grounds of "lack of standing."

However, the appellate court asked the government to refrain from proceeding with any steps until the final decision and requested evidence supporting the quota increase. In response, the Ministry of Health and Welfare submitted 49 pieces of evidence, including three research reports cited as the scientific basis for the increase.

Despite the court's ruling, the return of resident doctors who have been striking remains uncertain. The prolonged physician shortage has led to public inconvenience and negative public opinion towards the protesting medical community. While the court's dismissal of the injunction to halt the increase has weakened the momentum of doctors' protests, the medical community is unlikely to back down easily.

As tensions are expected to rise, the National Emergency Response Committee of Medical School Professors, representing 20 medical schools, has also announced plans for a one-week strike and weekly strikes if the increase is finalized.

Medical school professors have been filling in for resident doctors, which has kept Korea’s medical capacity from major collapse. However, if more professors resign and strike following the confirmation of the quota increase, significant impacts on the emergency medical system are anticipated.

The prolonged medical vacancy crisis, driven by the quota increase, is also forcing hospitals into financial difficulties, adding to the government's burden. The government is providing support by prepaying health insurance to hospitals affected by the departure of resident doctors, but this is only a temporary measure. If the situation continues, many hospitals might face deficits, leading to layoffs or closures.