One Day Before Resident Doctors' Strike... Medical Education Association: "Please Don't See It as 'Protecting Our Own Interests'"

On the 6th, Seoul National University Hospital, Jongno-gu, Seoul. / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Seul-gi] The Korean Medical Education Council, composed of medical school professors and other medical education workers nationwide, requested the public on the 7th, regarding the scheduled strike by residents, "Please do not see this as 'protecting one's own interests'."

On the 6th, the Medical Education Council stated in a "Public Appeal Regarding Medical Students' Class Refusal and Collective Sickout," "We ask that you do not view the collective actions of residents and medical students through the simple logic of protecting one's own interests."

The council pointed out, "The government's expansion of medical school quotas and establishment of public medical schools are political decisions made without educational measures to train excellent doctors," adding, "Simply increasing the number of doctors will not solve the problems the government is concerned about."

They continued, "Please listen to the voices of young doctors and prevent the government from unilaterally establishing healthcare policies. This policy must be fully reconsidered through close cooperation between the government and the medical community."

Furthermore, they added, "Professors of medical schools nationwide will do their best to prevent medical service gaps and ensure safe treatment for patients in preparation for the residents' collective sickout."

Previously, residents and students of medical schools and medical graduate schools have announced collective actions opposing the government's expansion of medical school quotas. Residents plan to go on a collective sickout on the 7th, and medical students plan to refuse classes and practical training from the 7th to the 14th.

The Medical Education Council is composed of the Korean Medical Association, the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, the Korea Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation, the Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Medical Graduate Schools, the Korean Society of Medical Education, the Korean Association of Private Practitioners, the Korean Association of Basic Medical Sciences, the National Council of Medical School Professors, and the Medical Education Training Institute.

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