Despite Medical Students' Public Apology... Government Says "No Retake" (Comprehensive)

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] On the 7th, the government stated regarding the issue of re-taking the national medical licensing examination (KMLE) by fourth-year medical students that "the government's position has not changed significantly at this time."

Lee Chang-jun, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, made this remark during a regular briefing held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day in response to related questions.

The director drew a clear line by saying, "Even if such a petition post has been uploaded, at this time, it is judged that this is not a matter for which we can seek public understanding regarding the re-taking of the KMLE."

When asked whether the petitioner was indeed a medical student, he said, "There is no data or information in the post that can identify the individual, so we do not even know who posted it."

The government explained that concerns about medical service gaps are an unavoidable issue and that it is reviewing ways to operate so that the gaps are minimized as part of sharing the burden.

Lee said, "Regarding the shortage of public health doctors, we have no choice but to endure it by reallocating placement periods or facilities, and by utilizing other substitute personnel for the shortage of interns," adding, "We will continue to consult with the medical community, related local governments, and public health centers to come up with reasonable measures."

Earlier, on the 5th, a petition titled "A medical student who canceled the KMLE registration sincerely apologizes to the public" was submitted on the Blue House National Petition website. The petitioner claimed to be a fourth-year medical student and requested a chance to retake the exam.

He said, "I sincerely apologize for causing concern to the public due to the refusal to take the KMLE," and added, "Although there were multiple opportunities to take the exam, students voluntarily decided not to take it, and only now, after a long time, are showing a contradictory attitude of 'waiting for the government's magnanimous decision,' which the public cannot easily accept, and I fully understand this."

However, he emphasized the necessity of allowing medical students to retake the KMLE as concerns about medical service gaps are becoming a reality. He said, "It is too shameful and utterly embarrassing to ask the public for lenient understanding, but at this point, when it is unknown when the COVID-19 pandemic will end, asking the public to endure the imminent medical service gaps and the resulting decline in the quality of community healthcare is even more shameful."

He further stressed, "Medical service gaps do not simply last for one year. One year without interns leads to a gap in the first year of residency, and this vicious cycle causes significant damage to the healthcare system over a long period exceeding five years."

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