청 "Additional Opportunities for Medical Licensing Exam Must Consider Public Acceptance and Other Factors"

Response to 4 National Petitions on KMA's Collective Strike... "Strengthening Management Including Revocation of Medical Licenses for Antisocial Crimes"

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] The Blue House expressed that the issue of granting additional opportunities to medical students who refused the national exam should be considered comprehensively, including public acceptance.

On the afternoon of the 23rd, the Blue House shared its views on four petitions: 'Amendment of the Medical Malpractice Act,' 'Opposition to Medical Students' Reapplication for the National Medical Exam,' 'Strong Response to the Medical Association's Collective Strike,' and 'Withdrawal of the Public Medical School Policy.'

Ryu Geun-hyeok, Secretary for Social Policy at the Blue House, explained, "570,995 citizens agreed to the petition opposing reapplication and other relief measures for medical students who canceled their national exam registration. Despite two opportunities for reapplication and postponement of the exam date, the majority of examinees did not reapply. Accordingly, since September 8, the practical exam has been conducted only for 438 individuals who expressed their intention to take the exam."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Secretary Ryu stated, "Regarding additional opportunities for the medical licensing exam, we must comprehensively consider the fact that two reapplication opportunities have already been provided, the practical exam is currently underway, the schedule of practical exams for other medical professions following the medical licensing practical exam, and public acceptance."

Regarding the petition to amend the Medical Malpractice Act, Secretary Ryu said, "The petitioner requested an amendment to the ‘Medical Malpractice Act’ revised in 2000, which allows even violent criminals such as murderers, robbers, and sexual offenders to retain their medical licenses. 360,234 citizens agreed with this petition."

He added, "It is true that medical licenses are maintained even in cases of antisocial crimes such as murder and sexual assault, which causes public anxiety. We expect the National Assembly to discuss amendments to the Medical Act, and the government plans to actively participate in related discussions."

Regarding the petition for a 'strong response to the Medical Association's strike,' Secretary Ryu said, "223,665 citizens agreed to this petition," and expressed, "First, we sincerely apologize for the concern caused by the Medical Association's collective strike during the severe COVID-19 period."

He continued, "On September 4, the government and the Medical Association agreed that they must work together to protect the lives and health of the people during the public health crisis of COVID-19," and "the government and the medical community will form a consultative body to prevent further collective actions by the medical community."

Additionally, Secretary Ryu responded to the petition 'Withdrawal of the Public Medical School Policy,' which had 207,701 participants. He said, "The National Institute of Medical Education is not for training and producing regional doctors but for training doctors who will work in public medical institutions," and "the selection of students for the National Institute of Medical Education will be conducted objectively and transparently under the principle of ‘fairness and transparency.’"

Secretary Ryu added, "The establishment of the National Institute of Medical Education has been discussed for years with experts and the medical community, including conducting related research in 2015, announcing promotion plans in 2018, and submitting related bills to the 20th National Assembly," and "since the related legislation is pending in the National Assembly, we will ensure sufficient discussion with the Medical Association and the medical community to proceed accordingly."

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