KMA Demands Measures to Support Medical Students Refusing National Licensing Exam

On the afternoon of the 4th, residents and fellows are protesting the agreement ceremony between the government and the Korean Medical Association at the Korea Health Promotion Institute in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] The Korean Medical Association (KMA) urged on the 7th that relief measures should be prepared for medical students who did not take the practical exam of the medical licensing examination.

In a statement released that day, the KMA demanded, "Grant additional opportunities to take the licensing exam to the medical students who protested legitimately."

The KMA stated, "The refusal of medical students to take the national exam is a rightful protest against unilateral healthcare policies, and appropriate relief measures must be prepared," adding, "The KMA will respond by mobilizing all possible means to ensure they can take the exam normally."

It also emphasized, "The agreement made on September 4 with the Democratic Party of Korea and the government was based on the premise of complete protection and relief for students and physician members, including medical students and residents, and the ruling party and government must keep this in mind," adding, "If such a premise is undermined, the agreement will no longer hold any meaning."

Earlier, the Korean Medical Students Association (KMSA) unanimously passed a resolution to refuse the medical licensing exam at a meeting of representatives from 40 medical schools nationwide the previous day. Accordingly, only 446 out of 3,172 eligible candidates, accounting for 14%, expressed their intention to take the exam.

The government reiterated that it will proceed with the practical exam of the medical licensing examination as scheduled.

Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division at the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, stated, "We have repeatedly informed that medical students who did not reapply will find it difficult to take this year's practical exam," adding, "We are not considering extending the reapplication period or accepting additional applications."

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