Prime Minister Jeong: "Medical Students Refusing National Exam May Be Eligible for Relief... Measures to Be Taken Soon" (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun stated on the 20th that there is a possibility of providing relief to medical students who refused to take the national medical licensing examination. This is interpreted as the government indicating the possibility of taking proactive measures amid the medical workforce shortage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is also reported to have expressed a stance that it can be considered as one of the alternatives to resolve the medical workforce shortage issue.

On the morning of the same day, Prime Minister Chung appeared on 'KBS Sunday Diagnosis' and, when asked about relief measures for medical students who refused the national exam, said, "We have been very cautious due to public opinion, but the government will soon take measures considering various realistic situations." When asked if there is a possibility of offering a retest opportunity, Prime Minister Chung replied, "You could see it that way. There was public opinion about whether it is fair and whether the procedure is legitimate, so that issue was not resolved," adding, "It seems that public opinion is also changing."

Regarding Prime Minister Chung’s remarks, the Ministry of Health and Welfare also showed a positive stance, interpreting it as a need to comprehensively consider the medical workforce shortage issue amid the COVID-19 situation. Son Young-rae, head of the Strategic Planning Division and spokesperson of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, responded to questions related to the Prime Minister’s remarks during a regular briefing, saying, "Since the spread of COVID-19 is likely to continue until next year, the issue of medical workforce shortage next year is also emerging as another problem."

He continued, "We need to prepare solutions while comprehensively considering these aspects," and added, "Please understand that this is a position to make a comprehensive judgment considering that point."

Earlier, fourth-year medical students collectively refused to take the practical part of the national medical licensing examination in August in protest against the government’s health and medical policies, including the expansion of medical school quotas and the establishment of a public medical school. Although the government, ruling party, and medical community reached an agreement on September 4 to form a medical-government consultative body, the students refused the exam despite two opportunities for re-registration. So far, only 436 out of 3,172 candidates, accounting for 14%, have applied for the exam.

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