Medical student deciding to take the national exam late... Government in dilemma (Comprehensive)

4th Year Medical Student Statement "Will Take National Medical Exam"... Ministry of Health Cautious About Relief Measures

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Attention is focused on whether fourth-year medical students who had previously stopped refusing the medical licensing examination (Kuksi) will be allowed to retake the exam, as they have now directly expressed their intention to take the practical portion of the medical licensing exam.

Until now, the government maintained the position that "reconsideration of retaking the exam is not possible as long as medical students have not expressed their intention to take it." However, since the medical students have belatedly expressed their intention to take the exam, the government is considering the matter. Nevertheless, due to unfavorable public opinion and concerns about fairness and equity, the government is being cautious about preparing additional relief measures.

Representatives of fourth-year students from 40 medical schools and graduate medical schools nationwide issued a joint statement on the 24th, declaring their intention to take the licensing exam. In the statement, they said, "At this time when the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) threatens public health and the issue of medical workforce supply arises, 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 Korea going forward," and "We look forward to a government that works for the proper medical care of our country."

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

Majority Support 'Taking the Exam' in Individual Vote of Fourth-Year Medical Students
Ministry of Health and Welfare "Reviewing Retake Possibility"

The Korean Medical Students Association (KMSA), representing medical students, had refused to take the licensing exam last month in protest against the government's major medical policies, including the expansion of medical school quotas. Although the Korean Medical Association (KMA), the government, and the ruling party agreed on the 4th to renegotiate related policies from scratch, the students continued collective action, claiming it was a 'hasty agreement.' However, as residents returned to clinical practice and criticism arose within the medical student community that the justification for collective action had disappeared, they announced on the 14th that they would stop collective actions such as strike leave and refusal to take the licensing exam.

In the medical community, since fourth-year students had used refusal to take the medical licensing exam as a form of collective action, stopping the collective action was interpreted as implying their intention to take the exam. However, the government stated that since the medical students had not directly expressed their intention to take the exam, it could not consider relief measures. Subsequently, public opinion formed around the necessity for fourth-year medical students, who must take the exam soon, to 'take the exam,' and after several internal discussions, they ultimately expressed their intention to take the exam through a final vote on the day.

The medical community, which had continuously encouraged medical students to take the licensing exam, plans to discuss with the government the possibility of retaking the exam now that the students have directly expressed their intention to take it.

Han Hee-cheol, chairman of the Korean Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC), said, "Previously, retaking the medical licensing practical exam was impossible because fourth-year medical students did not directly express their intention to take it, but now they have united in their intention to take the exam," adding, "Since the practical exam runs until November 20 and time is limited, we will discuss with the government, centered on the Korean Medical Association, to resolve the situation promptly."

The government has not yet issued an official statement on this matter. A Ministry of Health and Welfare official said, "The relevant department is currently reviewing relief measures such as allowing medical students to retake the licensing exam," adding, "Since the practical exam has already started, and issues of fairness and equity may arise, we will approach this cautiously."

Meanwhile, only 446 out of 3,172 eligible candidates (14%) applied for the medical licensing exam, which closed on the 6th.

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