Ruling Party "Against Public Sentiment" vs Opposition "Concerns Over Medical Crisis" Doctor Licensing Exam Dispute Continues at National Assembly Audit

Kuksiwon Director: "Medical Students' National Exam Retakes Should Be Viewed Separately from Public Sentiment"

Lee Yoon-sung, President of the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute (KHPLEI), is attending the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee's audit of the Korea Health Industry Development Institute held on the 15th, responding to questions from lawmakers. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] The ruling and opposition parties showed contrasting reactions regarding giving medical students who refused to take the national medical licensing exam a chance to retake it. The ruling party opposed the retest citing public sentiment, while the opposition argued that since controversy arose during the government's policy implementation, a retake opportunity should be granted, continuing their dispute.

Democratic Party lawmakers expressed negative views, warning of fairness concerns if medical students who refused the exam were allowed to retake it.

Democratic Party lawmaker Heo Jong-sik stated at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee audit on the 15th, "When the public was shedding tears due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), do you think the public has forgotten that medical students refused the national exam and went on a solidarity leave of absence?" expressing opposition to the retake.

Heo criticized, "Hospital directors expressed opinions on behalf of the students, but I have never heard the students themselves say they want to take the exam. They never said, 'We apologize to the public, please give us a chance as students.' Because of this, most comments say, 'We don't need such doctors.'"

Criticism also followed regarding Lee Yoon-sung, president of the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute, visiting the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission to convey opinions on the necessity of allowing a retake of the national exam.

Fellow Democratic Party lawmaker Seo Young-seok pointed out, "If he were a former president of the licensing institute or a private individual, there would be no problem, but as the head of an institution, expressing that the medical system might collapse in opposition to government policy is unacceptable."

Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Young-in also criticized, "Do you know that the current Minister of Health and Welfare, the Prime Minister, and the National Assembly leadership are all against allowing a retake of the national exam without public consent? It is incomprehensible that someone in charge of a Ministry of Health and Welfare-affiliated organization went to the Anti-Corruption Commission to express his personal opinion."

In response to such criticism from the ruling party, Lee said, "It can be seen that way depending on perspective. I acknowledge that," but explained, "The Anti-Corruption Commission wanted to know how the medical licensing exam is conducted, why it takes so long, so I went to explain. It was not simply a request to let the medical students take the exam."

Officials are managing the entrance of the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute (KHPLEI) located in Jayang-dong on the 24th of last month, when fourth-year medical students nationwide changed their previous stance and expressed their intention to take the national medical licensing examination. Photo by Yonhap News

On the other hand, lawmakers from the People Power Party expressed that the government should take action to resolve the issue. Concerns were also raised about potential medical service gaps.

People Power Party lawmaker Kang Ki-yoon said, "Hospital directors are appealing to prevent the national exam no-shows from leading to a national medical crisis, so I think it is appropriate for the licensing institute president to actively express opinions on how to solve this problem."

He added, "It is true that not taking the exam violated legal procedures, but if we punish all lawbreakers, we cannot help but worry about the problems that will arise. At this point, we need to come together."

People Power Party lawmaker Seo Jeong-sook also said, "The survey results on the medical licensing exam are highly politically motivated. The background of medical students refusing the exam is not unrelated to the COVID-19 situation. We all know the government failed in its initial response," raising her voice.

Seo added, "Major tertiary hospital directors have apologized to the public, and medical students have expressed remorse and willingness to take the exam. I believe the government, healthcare sector, and medical students should all work together with an attitude focused on public health and safety to resolve this issue."

Fellow party member Kim Mi-ae said, "During the 2000 separation of drug prescribing and dispensing, the Ministry of Health and Welfare approved two postponements of the national exam and additional tests were held. Considering this precedent, if possible, a retake opportunity should be given this time as well."

She urged the government to make a grand decision, saying, "This happened while the government was pushing policies to establish public medical schools and increase medical school quotas during the height of COVID-19. Since no major harm occurred to the public during the solidarity leave of absence, the government needs to make a magnanimous decision."

Meanwhile, Lee Yoon-sung, president of the licensing institute, said it is necessary to separate the issue of producing medical personnel from public sentiment.

Lee stated, "Going against public sentiment is wrong, and there should be an expression of remorse. However, I think we should separate this from the issue of not producing the necessary healthcare personnel."

Regarding whether an additional exam will be held, he said, "Regarding the medical licensing exam, the licensing institute is the institution that conducts the exam once the exam plan is set. If the Ministry of Health and Welfare decides, the institute will do its best to meet the schedule."

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