Changing laws and making every effort... Government says "Not 'rescue' for medical students refusing exams" (Comprehensive)

Government to Split Next Year's Medical Licensing Exam into First and Second Halves
"Concerns Over Medical Gaps in Underserved Areas and Public Healthcare"
Amendments to Medical Service Act and Military Service Act Enforcement Decrees Planned
Ministry of Health and Welfare: "Not to Allow Retakes or Special Treatment for Medical Students"

Entrance of the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute (KHPLEI)

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol, Kim Heung-soon] The government has decided to hold the practical exam for the medical licensing examination in January next year. This is to provide an opportunity for medical students who refused to take the exam this year due to collective action. The government stated that this measure is not intended to rescue or allow retaking for the students who refused the exam. Instead, the exam next year will be divided into two sessions, with the first session held as early as possible.

However, controversy is inevitable as the government is offering exam opportunities by changing various regulations despite the medical students who refused the exam not taking responsibility for their collective action. This is because the government has repeatedly emphasized that there will be no retake exams, citing public opinion and fairness with other exams.

Last August, a third-year medical student from Seoul National University College of Medicine held a relay solo protest in front of the main building of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, with a statement supporting current medical issues and the strike of resident doctors placed beside them.

Medical Licensing Practical Exam to be Held in Two Sessions, First and Second Half of the Year
First Half Exam Announcement in January, Starting Immediately at the End of January
Ministry of Health and Welfare: "Risk to Public Life and Safety Possible"

According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's announcement on the 31st regarding next year's medical licensing practical exam plan, the exam will be held once each in the first and second halves of the year. Originally, the exam was held only once a year. The first half exam will be held at the end of January, and the second half exam around September. Since about 6,000 candidates, including approximately 2,700 who refused this year's exam and about 3,200 who were originally scheduled to take it, would have to take the exam at once, leading to a prolonged exam period and difficulties in managing standardized patients, the Ministry explained that this measure is to alleviate such issues.

Those taking the exam in the first half can only take the first half exam, and those in the second half can only take the second half exam. According to the Ministry, among the 3,172 candidates for this year's medical licensing practical exam that started in September, only 423 took the exam and 365 passed. Since this measure is not to provide a retake opportunity or rescue, the Ministry stated that it does not plan to demand an apology from the medical students who refused the exam in the past.

Kim Young-hoon, Director of Korea University Medical Center, and others requested Jeon Hyun-hee, Chairperson of the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, to provide medical students with a chance to retake the national medical licensing examination during a meeting held last October at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, regarding the issue of medical students not taking the national exam. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

The government changed its stance because the shortage of medical personnel has become urgent. It is estimated that there will be a shortage of about 320 to 380 public health doctors, and essential medical services in vulnerable areas are expected to be disrupted. This poses a threat to public life and safety.

Lee Ki-il, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "The government's greatest responsibility is to protect public health and patient safety," adding, "With the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic, medical staff fatigue is worsening day by day, and the need for essential medical personnel in the public healthcare sector is increasing."

Medical Service Act Enforcement Decree Requires 90-Day Prior Announcement
Recruitment Ends Before Pass/Fail Announcement According to Military Service Act
Ministry of Health and Welfare: "Will Proceed with Legislative Notice and Interdepartmental Consultation on Amendment"

To implement the announced measures, the government plans to amend the Medical Service Act and the Military Service Act enforcement decrees. The Medical Service Act enforcement decree mandates that the medical licensing exam must be announced at least 90 days in advance. This is a mandatory provision that must be strictly followed. Lee Chang-jun, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry, said, "If there is an urgent need to supplement medical personnel, we plan to amend the regulations to shorten the announcement period as much as possible," adding, "We will issue a legislative notice today and simplify the legislative process so that the announcement can be made by the 12th of next month without any issues."

A notice prohibiting entry to outsiders is posted at the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

The recruitment regulations for public health doctors will also change. According to the Military Service Act enforcement decree, those who pass the practical exam this year and the written exam in January next year must apply to become public health doctors by February 10 next year. If the practical exam is held in January or February next year, candidates cannot know their pass/fail status before applying, so under current regulations, they cannot apply to become public health doctors. The Ministry plans to request cooperation from the Ministry of National Defense and the Military Manpower Administration to amend the regulations to allow applications for public health doctor positions for about two weeks after the announcement of the practical exam results.

When recruiting interns for those who obtain medical licenses after next year's exam, the government plans to increase the proportion of quotas for non-metropolitan and public hospitals. This is a measure in response to the shortage of public medical personnel due to COVID-19. Candidates taking the practical exam this year will be recruited at the end of January next year, and those taking the January practical exam will be recruited at the end of February. For the intern recruitment targeting candidates of the first half practical exam next year, the non-metropolitan quota will increase from about 40% to 50%, and the public hospital quota will expand from 27% to 32%.

Lee Chang-jun, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry, said, "As COVID-19 is spreading nationwide and concerns about vulnerable facilities and regions are growing, even one public health doctor is important," adding, "We plan to implement policies to minimize gaps in personnel management."

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