The main opposition party in South Korea has introduced a bill that would require the establishment of state-run public medical schools. Under this proposal, students would be obligated to serve 10 years in the medical field upon completing their education. The move by the Democratic Party of Korea is a response to the ongoing protest by trainee doctors against the government's plan to increase medical school enrollment. The bill, put forward by Democratic Party Rep. Park Hee-seong and 71 other lawmakers, focuses on creating new state-run public medical schools, with graduates mandated to work in medically underserved areas for a decade. Additionally, students at these schools would receive state-funded scholarships covering tuition, textbooks, and accommodation, with a majority of the students being high school graduates from nearby regions. Graduates failing to pass the state exam for doctors within three years of graduation or not fulfilling the mandatory service would be required to refund their scholarships. The proposal aims to address the disparity in medical services between urban and rural areas, with the intention of rectifying the discrimination faced by those living in rural regions. However, the bill has faced opposition from some doctors, who argue that the regulations are too stringent and could disrupt the country's medical system. A similar bill proposed by the Democratic Party in the previous National Assembly session was not put to a vote. The ruling party and the government had opposed the previous bill, citing concerns about unfairness in the student selection process and potential violations of graduating students' job choices.