Student handout — Discussion & Debate
Korea's Doctor Shortage Strike Gives High Schoolers a Debate They're Already Having at Home
Discussion: Korea's Doctor Shortage Debate
Background: In February 2024, the Korean government proposed adding about 2,000 seats to medical school admissions. Thousands of trainee doctors (interns and residents) walked out in protest. Hospitals cancelled surgeries. The debate is still not fully settled.
Vocabulary
- quota — a fixed number or limit
- resident — a doctor training in a hospital after medical school
- shortage — not having enough of something
- essential specialty — an important area of medicine, like emergency care
- walk out — to leave work as a protest
- rural — describing the countryside, away from big cities
Discussion Questions
- Why might Korea need more doctors? Give two reasons.
- Why might trainee doctors be against adding more medical school seats?
- Is it fair for the government to decide the number without asking doctors first?
- Would you want a family member to become a doctor in Korea right now? Why or why not?
- What's a better solution than adding seats — can you think of one?
Debate Roles
- Team A: Argue FOR expanding medical school seats.
- Team B: Argue AGAINST expanding medical school seats.
Each team gets 2 minutes to open. Then take turns responding.