▲ Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong speaks at a Cabinet meeting held at the presidential office in central Seoul on July 22, 2025. (Pool photo) (Yonhap)

health minister-medical reform

New health minister vows to push for 'people-centered' medical reform

SEOUL, July 22 (Yonhap) -- New Health Minister Jeong Eun-kyeong reaffirmed her commitment Tuesday to "people-centered" medical reforms that she said will be acceptable to both the public and the medical community, amid expectations for the resolution of the prolonged standoff between the government and junior doctors.

"I will push for people-centered medical reform measures that can secure support from both the people and the medical community ... to provide necessary medical services to people at the right time and ensure the sustainability of the national health care system," Jeong said in her inauguration speech.

The former chief of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency had made similar pledges in her parliamentary confirmation hearing last week.

"We face a range of pressing issues, from the prolonged conflict between the government and the medical community, crises in regional, essential and public health care and increasing demand for medical care amid the aging population to the world's highest levels of elderly poverty and suicide rates," Jeong said.

"At this critical juncture, the ministry should take responsibility in strengthening the social safety net and promoting the health of the people to build a country where everyone can thrive together," she added.

South Korea has faced disruptions in medical services as thousands of trainee doctors have walked off their jobs since February 2024 in protest against the government's decision to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 to nearly 5,000 starting this year.

The government has since reversed its decision, bringing the 2026 quota back to the original level of about 3,000. Many trainee doctors still remain away from their previous jobs.

Hope for a final breakthrough emerged after medical students, who have also been boycotting classes, announced earlier this month that they will return to school.

Following the announcement, the trainee doctors also resumed talks with the government to discuss conditions for their return to work.

Jeong said her ministry will establish a new committee to carefully evaluate and decide on the appropriate size of the workforce in the medical sector, and come up with measures to stabilize the supply of medical workers in the public sector and essential areas.

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