KMA and DAEJEONHYEOP Demand "Measures to Rescue Medical Students" vs Ministry of Health "It's Difficult" (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jung] The Korean Medical Association (KMA) and resident doctors have demanded that the government provide relief measures for medical students who collectively refused to take the national medical licensing examination, but the Ministry of Health and Welfare has expressed a difficult stance.

On the 7th, a Ministry of Health and Welfare official told Asia Economy, "As stated in this morning's regular briefing, it is no longer possible to postpone the national medical licensing exam this year or extend the registration deadline."

That afternoon, the KMA issued a statement urging the government to prepare relief measures for medical students who did not take the practical portion of the national medical licensing exam. The KMA emphasized, "The agreement reached on the 4th 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. The ruling party and government must keep this in mind," adding, "If this premise is compromised, the agreement will no longer hold any meaning."

Park Ji-hyun, Chairperson of the Emergency Committee of the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), also stated during a meeting with all residents on the afternoon of the 7th that residents will return to medical sites starting the morning of the 8th, but if relief is not provided for medical students who refused to take the national medical licensing exam, they will escalate collective actions. Chairperson Park said, "Protecting medical students is a natural premise," and added, "If the students are not allowed to retake the exam within two weeks or if the postponement they desire is not granted, we will strengthen collective actions."

In response, the Ministry of Health and Welfare clearly stated that there is no justification to postpone the medical licensing exam in terms of fairness and equity with other professions. A ministry official said in the afternoon, "From the perspective of fairness and equity, public opinion finds it hard to accept," and reiterated, "The national medical licensing exam will be conducted as scheduled according to laws and principles."

Earlier, the Korean Medical Students Association (KMSA) unanimously passed a motion to refuse the national 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.

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