4th Year Medical Student "I Will Take the Medical Licensing Exam"... Requests Government for Retake (Update)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Fourth-year medical students who had previously refused to take the national medical licensing examination (Kuksi) have directly expressed their intention to participate in the practical portion of the exam.

Representatives of fourth-year students from 40 medical colleges and medical graduate schools nationwide issued a joint statement on the 24th, declaring, "We express our intention to take the national medical licensing exam." In the statement, they said, "At this critical time when public health rights are threatened due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and issues regarding medical workforce supply have emerged, we want to return to our original role as students and strive for 'right values and proper medical care.'"

The medical students added, "We ask for the valuable interest and support of the public in establishing a healthy medical environment in South Korea going forward," and "We look forward to seeing a government that works for the proper medical care of our country."

According to the medical community, the day before, fourth-year medical students entered a final vote on whether to express their intention to take the practical exam of the national medical licensing test. The vote was conducted individually among all fourth-year students, as personal intention regarding the exam was important. The results showed that the majority supported expressing their intention to take the exam.

The medical community, which had continuously encouraged medical students to take the national exam, plans to discuss with the government about retaking the exam and other related matters now that the students have directly expressed their intention to participate.

Han Hee-cheol, chairman of the Korea Association of Medical Colleges and Medical Graduate Schools (KAMC), said, "Previously, the fourth-year medical students had not directly expressed their intention to take the practical exam of the national medical licensing test, making retaking the exam impossible, but this time they have united in their intention to take it." He added, "Since the practical exam is scheduled until November 20 and time is limited, we will promptly discuss with the government, centered on the Medical Association, to resolve the situation as soon as possible."

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