In response to the South Korean government's recent announcement of an increase in medical school admissions, the National Association of Interns and Residents has voiced strong opposition, arguing that the expansion reflects political realities rather than the actual needs of the healthcare system. In a statement released on the 13th, the association criticized the hasty decision and called for a table to re-discuss the proposed increases, highlighting their duty as frontline healthcare professionals to speak out against what they deem irresponsible policy.

The association of interns indicated that they are already facing significant challenges due to current education systems, such as the double cohort of students (those graduating in 2024 and 2025 simultaneously) and asserted that the push to increase admissions by 490 students in 2027 is unreasonable. They warned that indiscriminate increases without appropriate training and support could worsen the current system, which they describe as exploitative of medical interns, often forced to work without formal contracts due to the guise of early training.

They further elaborated on the broader implications of the government's policy, pointing out that increasing the number of medical professionals without addressing the underlying issues that lead to a breakdown in healthcare delivery and specific subject aversions will only escalate healthcare costs and accelerate the financial collapse of national health insurance. The association stressed that the real victims of these irresponsible policies will ultimately be the patients that rely on these services in the future.