Many South Koreans support the plan, which has been spearheaded by President Yoon Suk Yeol.
A recent Gallup Korea poll showed about 76 per cent of respondents approved of the plan, regardless of their political affiliation and a separate opinion poll by Realmeter released on Monday showed that Yoon’s approval rating had risen to 41.9 per cent, the first time in eight months it has topped the 40 per cent level.
In a package of policy plans to improve medical services, the government said it will increase the number of new medical students by 2,000 a year and expand legal protection against malpractice suits and prosecution.
It also plans to give incentives for doctors to practice in essential disciplines such as paediatrics and general surgery and in regional areas where shortage of doctors is more serious.
Some doctors, however, say the government’s plan is aimed at winning more votes in the April general election. In a statement, medical professors at Seoul National University, which runs one of the top medical schools in the country, called on the authorities to postpone discussing the plan until after the elections.