Jung Eun-kyung Promises Special Treatment for Returning Medical Residents - New Health Minister Candidate Takes Bold Stance on Medical Crisis

Breaking: New Health Minister Nominee Takes Unprecedented Stand on Medical Crisis

Did you know that South Korea's healthcare system has been in turmoil for over a year? The nomination of Jung Eun-kyung as the new Health Minister candidate has sparked intense discussions about how to resolve the ongoing medical crisis that has left hospitals understaffed and patients struggling to receive proper care.

Jung Eun-kyung, former director of the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA), made headlines during her parliamentary confirmation hearing on July 18, 2025, when she boldly agreed to provide preferential treatment to medical residents and students who chose to return to work early during the prolonged strike. This decision represents a significant shift in government policy and could be the key to ending one of the most challenging periods in Korean medical history.

The medical crisis began when the government announced plans to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 students annually, leading to massive strikes by medical residents and students who opposed the policy. Thousands of medical professionals abandoned their posts, creating severe shortages in hospitals nationwide and forcing the government to declare medical emergencies in multiple regions.

The Promise That Could Change Everything: Preferential Treatment for Early Returners

When asked whether the government should consider preferential treatment for medical residents and students who returned to work before others, Jung Eun-kyung's response was decisive: "I will do that". This simple yet powerful statement has sent shockwaves through Korea's medical community and represents a complete departure from the previous government's hardline stance.

The nominee acknowledged the deep conflicts existing between early returners and those who remained on strike, stating: "I know that there is considerable conflict between medical students and residents who returned first and those who came later". She admitted that while she couldn't present an immediate solution, she believed that resolving these internal divisions would take time and require effort from all parties involved.

This announcement comes at a critical time when hospitals are desperately trying to rebuild their workforce. Many medical residents who chose to return early faced ostracism from their peers, online harassment, and even threats. The promise of preferential treatment could serve as both recognition of their sacrifice and an incentive for others to return to their posts.

Establishing a Training Council: A New Approach to Medical Reform

Jung Eun-kyung announced plans to establish a comprehensive "training council" involving medical residents, training hospitals, and various committees to discuss how to facilitate the return of striking medical professionals. "The Ministry of Health and Welfare will create a training council to swiftly discuss medical resident return matters," she declared during the hearing.

This council represents a significant shift toward collaborative governance, moving away from the top-down approach that many criticized during the previous administration. The nominee emphasized that this initiative should not be superficial but should serve as an opportunity to "improve the training environment for residents and create a system where they can receive proper quality training".

The timing is crucial, as the second-half recruitment for medical residents is scheduled to begin at the end of July, giving the government limited time to implement these changes. Jung noted that "time is not abundant" and stressed the need for swift action to ensure that medical residents can begin training in September.

Addressing the Root Causes: Trust and Scientific Approach to Medical Reform

When discussing the most urgent task upon taking office, Jung Eun-kyung identified "normalizing medical conflicts" as the top priority. She offered a scathing critique of the previous government's approach, stating: "I think the biggest problem was that trust was broken. It would have been better to conduct more structural reforms and look at workforce policies together with long-term reorganization plans through scientific calculations".

The nominee revealed that the Ministry of Health and Welfare is currently reviewing the establishment of a public discourse committee and a medical reform special committee. "Once appointed, I will review those contents and first present the implementation schedule and plans, then proceed based on the announced content," she promised.

This emphasis on scientific approach and transparent communication marks a clear departure from previous policies that were criticized for lacking proper consultation with medical professionals and the public. Jung's medical background as a physician and her experience leading the country's COVID-19 response as KDCA director position her uniquely to bridge the gap between government policy and medical practice.

Controversial Issues: Medical School Expansion and Internal Investigations

The confirmation hearing also addressed the controversial decision to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000 students annually. When questioned about the need for internal auditing of this decision-making process, Jung stated that "investigations are currently underway within the Ministry of Health and Welfare".

This acknowledgment suggests that the new administration is taking a critical look at how the previous government implemented this policy without sufficient consultation. The nominee's willingness to investigate past decisions demonstrates a commitment to accountability and transparency that was often lacking during the height of the medical crisis.

Regarding regional medical schools, another key policy initiative, Jung expressed support but emphasized implementation challenges: "I think it's necessary, but how to implement it is important. I will find ways to do it". She also mentioned coordination with the Ministry of Education and the need to link regional medical school establishment with regional and specialty-specific physician workforce planning.

Healthcare Policy Vision: From Crisis to Comprehensive Reform

Jung Eun-kyung outlined an ambitious vision for healthcare reform that goes beyond simply resolving the current crisis. She emphasized the need for "healthcare reform that both the public and medical community can agree on" and promised to "secure sustainability of the healthcare system through citizen-centered medical reform".

Key policy initiatives include establishing a medical workforce supply and demand calculation committee to conduct scientific assessments of appropriate workforce levels, strengthening regional, essential, and public healthcare by ensuring stable workforce and adequate compensation, and transferring national university hospital operations to the Ministry of Health and Welfare to develop them as regional public healthcare control towers.

The nominee also addressed concerns about nursing care costs in long-term care hospitals, promising to "gradually apply health insurance to nursing care costs in long-term care hospitals" as part of the administration's national agenda. This represents a significant expansion of healthcare coverage that could reduce financial burdens on families caring for elderly relatives.

International Challenges: Trump's Tariff Threats and Pharmaceutical Exports

In an unexpected turn, the hearing also addressed international trade concerns, specifically regarding Donald Trump's consideration of imposing up to 200% tariffs on foreign pharmaceuticals. Jung demonstrated awareness of global healthcare challenges, stating: "The United States holds a very important share of our exports. We will monitor pharmaceutical product tariffs and coordinate closely within the government to voice our concerns in our field".

This response highlights the interconnected nature of modern healthcare systems and the need for Korean health policy to consider international dimensions. The pharmaceutical industry represents a significant portion of Korea's high-tech exports, and potential trade disruptions could impact both the domestic healthcare system and the broader economy.

As Jung Eun-kyung awaits final confirmation as Health Minister, her commitments during the parliamentary hearing have already begun reshaping expectations for healthcare policy. Her promise of preferential treatment for early-returning medical residents, establishment of collaborative governance structures, and emphasis on scientific approaches to policy-making represent a comprehensive attempt to heal the wounds left by months of medical strikes and policy conflicts. Whether these initiatives will successfully restore trust between the government and medical community remains to be seen, but they certainly mark a significant departure from previous approaches to healthcare governance in South Korea.