From Today, Residents, Fellows, and Medical Students Unite... "Immediate Return Upon Codifying 'Re-discussion from the Start'" (Update)

The Korea Medical Association, which opposed the expansion of medical school quotas and announced a second strike, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the relevant government department, held an emergency meeting on the 19th. Park Neung-hoo, Minister of Health and Welfare, and Park Ji-hyun, President of the Korean Intern Resident Association, exchanged fist bumps at the 'Medical-Government Meeting' held at the Koreana Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Joint Press Corps

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The "Young Doctors Emergency Response Committee," a coalition of residents, fellows, and medical students demanding the withdrawal of the government's medical policies such as the expansion of medical school quotas, will officially launch on the 1st.

Park Ji-hyun, Emergency Response Committee Chairperson of the Korean Intern Resident Association (Daejeon Association), held a press conference at the Seoul Medical Association in Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul, and said, "From today, medical students, residents, and fellows will form a unified consultative body called the 'Young Doctors Emergency Response Committee.'"

The Young Doctors Emergency Response Committee plans to demand the withdrawal of the government's four major policies: expansion of medical school quotas, establishment of public medical schools, coverage of herbal medicine, and promotion of telemedicine.

Chairperson Park stated, "The expansion of medical school quotas and establishment of public medical schools cannot solve the avoidance of essential medical specialties," adding, "The reason for the shortage of essential medical experts is that there are no hospitals where specialists can find employment, not a lack of doctors holding certifications in essential medical fields."

The Emergency Response Committee expressed willingness to participate in open debates with the government regarding the expansion of medical school quotas and related issues at any time.

Chairperson Park said, "(Open debates) are also desired by the medical community," and "We can participate at any time." She also pointed out, "Since May, the Daejeon Association and the Medical Student Association have requested many lawmakers' offices to allow participation in debates but were rejected and faced discrimination in media coverage. Even debates supported by 22 to 23 members of the National Assembly were limited to self-congratulatory levels without medical expert consultation."

Earlier, the Daejeon Association announced that it would continue the indefinite strike because the government has not formalized the point of re-discussing policies such as the expansion of medical school quotas from scratch. Chairperson Park promised, "The Young Doctors Emergency Response Committee will return to the field as soon as the phrase 'comprehensive re-discussion from the starting point' is formalized in the agreement."

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