Doctors dig in as government keeps low profile on expansion plan

The Korean government and the medical circles are continuing their tug-of-war over increasing the number of medical students starting next year, while patients have been bearing the brunt of junior doctors' walkout for two months. Despite the prolonged medical standoff, Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong said during Thursday's government response meeting that the government would “push with the medical reform in an unwavering manner.” “Medical reform is a pivotal task aimed at enhancing essential medical fields and medical services in rural areas and preparing for future health care demands to protect the lives and health of the people,” Cho was quoted as saying, without further elaborating on the expansion plan.