"Controversy Over Medical Students' Exemption Amid 'Irresponsible' Group Actions During COVID-19... Citizens Express Outrage"

Government Shifts to Support Medical Students Refusing National Exam... Ongoing Controversy Over Fairness and Public Interest
Citizens Say "They Must Take Responsibility for Their Choice," "Cannot Understand Strikes During COVID-19"
Political Sphere Divided... Differing Voices Even Within the Democratic Party

As the revised bill allowing medical students who had refused to take the national medical licensing exam to retake it is about to be implemented, social conflicts surrounding the issue are arising.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon] The conflict surrounding medical students who collectively refused to take the national medical licensing examination (KMLE) continues to persist. Although the government previously stated that there would be no relief for the medical students, it has recently changed its stance, sparking debates over fairness and public interest. The political sphere is also divided on the issue. Especially within the Democratic Party, differing voices have emerged, suggesting that the so-called controversy over relief for medical students is likely to continue for the time being.

On December 31 of last year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced a legislative notice to amend the Enforcement Decree of the Medical Service Act, offering medical students a chance to retake the KMLE. The legislative notice procedure was completed on January 4. According to the Enforcement Decree of the Medical Service Act, the exam must be announced at least 90 days before the test date, but the amendment introduces a new provision stating, "If it is recognized as necessary to protect public health, the announcement period under paragraph 3 may be shortened (Article 4, Paragraph 4)."

Once the decree passes the Cabinet meeting, medical students will effectively be granted relief by taking an additional KMLE on the 23rd. Earlier, on December 20, Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun hinted at reconsidering the retake of the KMLE during an interview on KBS's 'Sunday Diagnosis,' saying, "(Regarding the medical students' retake issue) There have been public concerns about whether it is 'fair' and whether the procedures are legitimate. Although we have not resolved these issues yet, the government will soon make a decision considering practical needs and the current situation."

Photo by Cheongwadae National Petition Board Capture

Opposition voices have immediately emerged. Last month, a petition titled "Oppose the Retake of the Medical Licensing Exam" was posted on the Blue House's public petition board. The petitioner criticized, "I saw news that Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun is considering a retake for medical students who refused the exam. How many national exams are there in a year? Will all those who collectively refuse be given relief?"

The petitioner continued, "During the civil service exams, those who could not take the test due to COVID-19 infection were not given relief. Students who failed the college entrance exam due to a teacher's mistake causing the bell to ring early were not given relief either. Most citizens cooperated with government guidelines despite forced business closures, wage losses, and rent damages during COVID-19 without proper compensation," pointing out.

The petitioner added, "Citizens are not refraining from collective action because they are unaffected. In this emergency COVID-19 situation, individuals are prioritizing national safety and interests over personal gains. Has public opinion changed? The sentiment towards the medical strike that held patients hostage during the previous COVID-19 emergency remains the same. Prime Minister Chung, please take responsibility for this situation and do not stir unrest among the patient citizens. The public clearly opposes unfair retakes of the medical licensing exam only for doctors!"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The so-called 'medical licensing exam controversy' began last August when nationwide medical students opposed the government's plan to increase medical school quotas and establish public medical schools to strengthen public healthcare, and declared a boycott of the exam. At that time, only 423 out of 3,172 eligible medical students took the exam.

Some citizens expressed strong criticism toward the doctors and medical students who took collective action to enforce their demands even during the COVID-19 pandemic, saying things like "This is really too much," "Unacceptable behavior," and "Absolutely oppose relief for medical students who refused the exam."

Kim, a company employee in his 40s who recently expressed opposition to relief for medical students, said, "If it weren't for the COVID-19 situation, I could listen to the claims or opinions of medical students. The problem is why they took collective action during a time when everyone is desperate and struggling." He added, "I also don't understand why they are now asking the government for relief after deciding to refuse the exam."

Criticism from university students also followed. Lee, a university student in his 20s, said, "I think the collective action taken by doctors during the critical COVID-19 period was selfish," and added, "I hope they take responsibility for the actions they chose and decided upon."

Amid ongoing criticism from citizens, the political sphere is sharply divided on the issue. Gyeonggi Province Governor Lee Jae-myung, a leading presidential candidate, appeared on the '2021 JTBC New Year's Special Debate' broadcast on the 5th and stated a principle that "relief for medical students who refused the national medical licensing exam should not be allowed without public consent."

When asked whether medical students should be given a chance to take the exam, Governor Lee said, "As I have clearly stated before, they abandoned the rights and opportunities granted to them as a means of fighting for their own benefit," and emphasized, "We must respect basic order. Allowing exceptions for those who broke the order just because it is deemed necessary would set a very bad precedent," clearly opposing relief for medical students.

He added, "It is better to create a situation where the public can sufficiently accept it before allowing a retake," emphasizing, "A sincere apology should come first."

Photo by 2021 JTBC New Year's Special Debate Capture

Jeju Governor Won Hee-ryong also expressed the same stance. Governor Won said, "While the issue of medical workforce supply needs to be addressed, I don't understand why they are quietly trying to resolve this after several months of refusing the exam," and added, "I am worried whether the government will present consistent standards regarding exam refusal or collective action in the future. It is inappropriate from the perspective of fairness and equity."

On the other hand, other lawmakers who appeared on the same broadcast all expressed support. Democratic Party lawmaker Ko Min-jung said, "I agree with Governor Lee Jae-myung that a sincere apology should come first," but added, "Medical students refused the exam at that time, but they did not intend to refuse it forever."

She continued, "The number of examinees this year will double, so medical students who were originally supposed to take the exam in 2021 may face a situation requiring twice the effort. I think it is right for them to take the exam twice," supporting the retake.

People Power Party lawmaker Hwang Bo-seung-hee emphasized, "Although medical students refused the exam as a form of protest, it was a refusal due to backlash from the lack of communication between the medical community and the government, so it is right to give them a chance to take the exam." She added, "In Italy, due to a shortage of medical personnel, 10,000 people were exempted from the medical licensing exam. Considering such cases in other countries, it is not right to deprive them of the opportunity to take the exam."

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