"Medical Licensing Exam, Government Must Resolve"…Medical Community Continues Threats and Appeals

Medical Community Council Formed by 12 Medical Organizations Including the Korean Medical Association
"Producing Fewer Doctors Will Harm Public Health"
Medical School Deans Appeal to the Public: "Please Understand the Innocence of Medical Students"

On the 8th, the practical exam day for the 85th Medical Licensing Examination, a notice prohibiting entry to outsiders was posted at the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] The medical community has repeatedly requested an additional exam opportunity for medical students who did not take the national medical licensing examination. Despite the government clearly stating that it is realistically difficult to provide an additional registration opportunity due to public opinion, national acceptance, and scheduling coordination with other exams, the demands persist.

The Korean Medical Education Council, composed of 12 medical organizations including the Korean Medical Association, the Hospital Association, the Medical Society, the Medical Education Evaluation Institute, the Medical Education Society, and the Medical School Professors' Council, held a meeting on the 29th to discuss issues related to the national medical licensing exam. Choi Dae-jip, president of the Korean Medical Association and chair of the council, stated, "The government, which initiated the current situation, must show a responsible attitude," adding, "We will confidently demand and enforce this."

Only about 14% of the total candidates registered for the practical portion of the medical licensing exam, which began on the 8th of this month. The remaining 86% had previously expressed their intention not to take the exam, following a strike and boycott movement that started last month. Although an agreement was reached among the government, ruling party, and medical community, and medical students returned to clinical practice, the refusal to take the exam by medical students showed little change. Despite the government postponing registration once and adjusting the exam schedule, most still refused to take the exam.

At the council meeting, attendees discussed that the medical students' refusal to take the exam was a legitimate expression of opposition to the government's flawed policy implementation, and since an agreement was reached among the government, ruling party, and medical community, the government should take responsibility and resolve the issue. They also discussed problems that the medical field might face due to the reduced number of newly licensed doctors. Hospitals anticipate difficulties in securing interns, which could lead to a chain reaction of increased workloads, a decline in medical quality, and ultimately adverse effects on public health. Universities also expressed concerns about accommodating students and providing quality education.

Choi Dae-jip, President of the Korean Medical Association (first from the left in the photo), is having an urgent meeting with Kang Do-tae, the 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare (first from the right), on the 25th at the Plaza Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, to discuss measures for medical students to take the national medical licensing examination.

The Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Medical Schools (KAMC), composed of deans of 40 medical colleges and graduate medical schools nationwide, emphasized, "The medical service gap must be prevented, and the national medical licensing exam must start immediately." In a public appeal released that day, the association requested, "Please distinguish the collective actions of young medical students from the doctors' strike that caused inconvenience in medical services," and asked for understanding of the students' "purity and sincerity."

They continued, "It is evident that if about 2,700 doctors are not produced next year, the public health centers nationwide will face gaps, and the shortage of doctors in hospitals will severely threaten public health," emphasizing, "As experts, the medical community can feel how greatly such a medical service gap will impact the protection of public health in the medical field." They appealed, "We ask for deep understanding so that the government can swiftly provide exam opportunities and make bold policy decisions to wisely overcome the national emergency caused by COVID-19."

Earlier, Kang Do-tae, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, clearly stated regarding the possibility of re-examination for the medical licensing exam, "The principles and stance previously announced remain unchanged," emphasizing that it is difficult to provide additional opportunities. Vice Minister Kang explained, "From a policy perspective, fairness and equity with other national exams must be considered."

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