President Lee Publicly Commends Park Joomin for Passage of National Graduate School of Medicine Act: "Thank You for Medical Reform Achievements"
"15 Years of Mandatory Public Healthcare Service"
National Graduate School of Medicine Act Passes Health and Welfare Committee
School to Open in 2030, Admitting 100 Students Annually
On March 13, President Lee Jaemyung publicly praised Park Jumin, Chair of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, regarding the committee’s passage of the National Graduate School of Medicine Establishment Bill (National Graduate Medical School Act). President Lee’s public message drew particular attention, as Chair Park is also a preliminary candidate in the Democratic Party’s primary for Seoul mayor.
That day, President Lee reposted Chair Park’s message on his X (formerly Twitter) account, writing, "This was not an easy task. Thank you for the achievements in medical reform." By mentioning Chair Park, who led the relevant standing committee, President Lee signaled support for the legislative achievements in medical reform promoted by the National Assembly.
Previously, Chair Park wrote on X, "Fifteen years of mandatory local service, National Graduate Medical School Act passed! The Lee Jaemyung administration’s medical reform is proceeding without setbacks," emphasizing that progress is being made without pause, starting with resolving the medical crisis, introducing a regional doctor system, enacting the Telemedicine Act, strengthening essential medical services, and now passing the National Graduate Medical School Act.
The National Graduate Medical School Act, which passed the Health and Welfare Committee on this day, mandates the state to establish a national graduate school of medicine to foster doctors who will work in the public healthcare sector. It also requires those who obtain a medical license through this program to serve in the public healthcare sector for 15 years. Student quotas, admission qualifications, and selection methods will be determined by presidential decree. The government plans to select 100 students per year starting from 2030, provided the bill passes the plenary session of the National Assembly.
It was also reported that, in December of last year, President Lee publicly praised Jeong Wonoh, the head of Seongdong District, who is another candidate in the Seoul mayoral primary.
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Debate over the bill is expected to continue. The People Power Party has expressed opposition, arguing that the National Graduate Medical School Act was unilaterally pushed through the Health and Welfare Committee’s subcommittee. They criticized the bill for being rushed without a public hearing. Although there is consensus on the policy objective of expanding the public healthcare workforce, debates surrounding the legislative process, the appropriateness of fiscal investment, and the implementation methods are likely to persist during subsequent reviews.
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