The government has officially begun the establishment of a national medical school aimed at training public health professionals to address chronic gaps in regional and essential healthcare. In exchange for full tuition support, graduates will be required to serve in the public health sector for 15 years, with the school set to open in 2029.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it has completed the formation of a preparatory committee for the national medical school and held its first meeting on July 3 at the Seoul Press Center.
To fundamentally resolve the shortage of personnel in regional, essential, and public healthcare, the government designated this initiative as a national project last August. Following discussions in the National Assembly, relevant legislation was passed on May 26. The formation of the committee and its inaugural meeting mark the first official steps toward establishing the national medical school after the law's enactment.
The preparatory committee, chaired by Deputy Minister Lee Hyung-hoon, consists of ten members, including seven experts in public health policy, medical education, and clinical fields, along with two representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. They will deliberate on key issues related to the establishment and operation of the school, including infrastructure development, organizational structure, curriculum design, student support measures, and mandatory service regulations.
To facilitate efficient discussions, the Ministry plans to establish specialized subcommittees focusing on areas such as infrastructure and operational systems.
The new national medical school will operate as a four-year graduate institution. Students will receive comprehensive support, including tuition, while following a curriculum specialized in public health. Graduates will be required to serve in public health institutions for 15 years after obtaining their medical licenses, thereby developing into key personnel capable of addressing healthcare challenges.
The Ministry is meticulously planning to achieve the goal of opening the school in 2029 and starting the curriculum in 2030. In the second half of this year, the committee will focus on discussions regarding the selection of the school's location and infrastructure.
Additionally, starting in July, the Ministry will initiate legislative procedures for establishing regulations on student selection, tuition support, designation and cancellation of mandatory service institutions, and deployment of specialized personnel. Basic research is also underway to develop a student selection system and a curriculum centered on public health competencies.
Deputy Minister Lee Hyung-hoon emphasized, "The establishment of the national medical school is significant as it introduces a state-led system for training public health personnel. Today's meeting marks the first step in solidifying this plan, and we will work diligently through the committee to discuss key matters for establishing a top-tier medical education institution."
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced that it has completed the formation of a preparatory committee for the national medical school and held its first meeting on July 3 at the Seoul Press Center.
To fundamentally resolve the shortage of personnel in regional, essential, and public healthcare, the government designated this initiative as a national project last August. Following discussions in the National Assembly, relevant legislation was passed on May 26. The formation of the committee and its inaugural meeting mark the first official steps toward establishing the national medical school after the law's enactment.
The preparatory committee, chaired by Deputy Minister Lee Hyung-hoon, consists of ten members, including seven experts in public health policy, medical education, and clinical fields, along with two representatives from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. They will deliberate on key issues related to the establishment and operation of the school, including infrastructure development, organizational structure, curriculum design, student support measures, and mandatory service regulations.
To facilitate efficient discussions, the Ministry plans to establish specialized subcommittees focusing on areas such as infrastructure and operational systems.
The new national medical school will operate as a four-year graduate institution. Students will receive comprehensive support, including tuition, while following a curriculum specialized in public health. Graduates will be required to serve in public health institutions for 15 years after obtaining their medical licenses, thereby developing into key personnel capable of addressing healthcare challenges.
The Ministry is meticulously planning to achieve the goal of opening the school in 2029 and starting the curriculum in 2030. In the second half of this year, the committee will focus on discussions regarding the selection of the school's location and infrastructure.
Additionally, starting in July, the Ministry will initiate legislative procedures for establishing regulations on student selection, tuition support, designation and cancellation of mandatory service institutions, and deployment of specialized personnel. Basic research is also underway to develop a student selection system and a curriculum centered on public health competencies.
Deputy Minister Lee Hyung-hoon emphasized, "The establishment of the national medical school is significant as it introduces a state-led system for training public health personnel. Today's meeting marks the first step in solidifying this plan, and we will work diligently through the committee to discuss key matters for establishing a top-tier medical education institution."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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