"Opposition to Saving Medical Students Refusing National Exam" 청원 at Blue House Surpasses 200,000

"Using Medical Gaps as a Means of Struggle"

On the 24th, a petition titled "Opposing re-registration and subsequent relief for medical students who canceled their national exam registration" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. Photo by Blue House National Petition Capture

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] As medical students nationwide refuse to take the national medical licensing examination in protest against government policies such as the expansion of medical school quotas, a petition demanding that no future relief be provided to medical students who refused to take the exam has garnered over 200,000 signatures within two days of being posted.

On the 24th, a petition titled "Opposition to re-registration and any future relief for medical students who canceled their national exam registration" was posted on the Blue House National Petition Board. As of 10 a.m. on the 25th, the petition had 229,745 participants, meeting the criteria for a response from the Blue House.

The petitioner stated, "Medical students are opposing the establishment of public medical schools and the expansion of medical school quotas by mocking the 'Thanks Challenge' with a hand gesture called the 'Thanks Challenge'." He added, "The Thanks Challenge was a gesture of gratitude from the public not only to doctors but also to nurses, clinical pathologists, radiologists, caregivers, and all those who devoted themselves to responding to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19)."

He continued, "It is simply shameful that they misunderstand the public's gratitude as being solely for doctors, showing disregard for other medical personnel, and that those who are not yet doctors mock the public's appreciation with childishness." He argued, "Perhaps this is because the undergraduate quotas are strictly managed as a minority, and even at the preliminary stage, they are confident of obtaining medical licenses."

He further pointed out, "Canceling group national exam registrations, mocking those who did not cancel, deciding on collective leave of absence, and forcing others to do the same are acts done with the knowledge that such actions will lead to medical vacancies and are used as means of protest." He added, "I believe this collective action was possible because they trusted that the government would provide some form of relief."

A student from Chung-Ang University College of Medicine held a silent protest against the increase in medical school quotas and the establishment of public medical schools near Heukseok Station in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, on the morning of the 13th. Photo by Yonhap News

He went on, "There are hardly any groups for whom refusing to take an exam itself can be a means of protest. Those who expect any form of additional opportunity to take the exam after giving up their chance as a means of protest no longer exist." He emphasized, "In itself, they are enjoying privileges, and it is not as natural as they think."

The petitioner stated, "If they receive medical licenses through future relief or special re-registration, they will exhibit even more selfish collective behavior than the current residents planning a total strike, holding the lives of the public hostage at a critical moment in national quarantine." He added, "Each time, the public will feel greater anxiety than the disease itself."

He urged, "Do not offer them any relief methods. Instead, provide them with opportunities to reflect on their excesses themselves."

Earlier, on the 18th, the Korean Medical School and Graduate Medical School Student Association (KMSA) announced through an internal meeting that they had decided to refuse to take the practical portion of the national medical licensing exam scheduled for the 1st of next month and to take collective leave of absence.

Since the practical exam registration was already completed online last month, medical students refused the exam by canceling their registrations.

Cho Seung-hyun, president of KMSA, said, "(Refusing the national exam and collective leave) are collective actions that harm both students and medical care," but added, "Please understand the students' determination to endure such harm."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.