Medical Student Association President: "93% National Medical Exam Refusal Not Due to Incitement or Coercion"

On the 24th, in front of Chung-Ang University Hospital in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, officials involved in the 'Young Doctors Collective Action' led by the Korean Intern Resident Association are urging for a reconsideration of the medical school quota expansion. / Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] Cho Seung-hyun, president of the Korean Medical College and Medical School Student Association, stated regarding the majority of medical students refusing the medical licensing practical exam, "It is based on individual free will and not due to agitation or coercion."

The association is composed of students from 40 medical colleges and medical schools nationwide. On this day, Cho appeared on an online live broadcast organized by the Korean Medical Association as it began its second general strike, directly responding to recent controversies and sarcastic views surrounding medical students. The format involved reading and responding to comments posted on internet community sites and news comment sections.

Regarding the criticism that "the initial anonymous vote on taking a leave of absence was changed to a signed vote because there was considerable opposition," Cho said, "Some grades and units conducted surveys in that manner, so we requested corrections and issued a statement," adding, "I apologize if anyone was hurt by this." He continued, "I believe that 93% refusing the licensing exam and 87% participating in the solidarity leave of absence cannot be the result of anyone's agitation or coercion."

The Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute plans to proceed with next year's medical practical exam sequentially starting next month as scheduled. According to the institute's data as of the previous evening, following the medical student association's decision to refuse the licensing exam, out of 3,172 candidates, 2,823 (89%) are expected not to take the exam, either by canceling or applying for a refund.

The government was initially reported to have considered relief measures regarding the medical students' group's stance but decided on the same day to proceed with cancellations as is. The institute plans to reconfirm candidates' intentions to cancel the exam by the 30th and proceed with the exam as originally planned.

Cho stated, "The students' refusal to take the exam and to attend classes by their own free will means they are relinquishing their rights," adding, "It is not about money but dissatisfaction with the health system that should benefit the public and with the unreasonable policy decision process."

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