Choi Sang-mok "When returning to dialogue, zero-base consultation for 2026 quota is possible."

Acting President Choi Sang-mok proposed to the medical community to return to legislative dialogue and said the medical community would participate in the dialogue to discuss it, and that the scale of expanding the number of medical schools in 2026 could be flexibly discussed at zero base.

Acting President Choi made the remarks at a meeting on major pending issues at the Ministry of Social Affairs held at the Seoul Government Complex this afternoon.

Acting President Choi said he would push for medical reforms that the public sympathizes with, and said related ministries, including the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Military Manpower Administration, should actively consider related measures to help medical doctors and medical students return.

Acting Choi said the government will steadily pursue medical reform, but will not neglect its efforts to persuade and consult with people with different opinions in the process.

At the same time, he said that the medical community should also actively participate in discussions on medical reform and dialogue for medical normalization that are essential for the people and strengthen local medical care.

Choi said that if the medical community participates in the conversation and the quota issue is discussed, it will take into account the supply and demand outlook, the majority of students were not able to participate in last year's class, and the field education conditions of each school.