Candidate Jeong Ho-young on Daughter's 'Medical Licensing Exam Boycott' Controversy: "This Is Not a Guilt-by-Association Society"

"It is inappropriate to raise even adult children's expressions of opinion as an issue"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Jo In-kyung] Regarding the fact that the daughter of Jeong Ho-young, the nominee for Minister of Health and Welfare, participated in the refusal to take the medical licensing examination in 2020, Jeong stated that "it is inappropriate to mention the expression of opinion of an adult child as if it were a problem."

According to the office of Choi Hye-young, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, on the 28th, it was confirmed that Jeong's daughter was among the 97 students from Kyungpook National University College of Medicine who declared refusal to take the medical licensing exam in August 2020.

At that time, medical students nationwide collectively refused to take the medical licensing exam in protest against government policies such as the expansion of medical school quotas. In response, the government postponed the exam start date by one week and provided an additional exam opportunity, raising concerns about fairness. At Kyungpook National University College of Medicine, a total of 97 fourth-year students issued a statement criticizing the policy to expand medical school quotas, saying "the voices of doctors are not reflected at all" and "the government is deceiving the public and doctors."

In response, the confirmation hearing preparation team for the Minister of Health and Welfare nominee released an explanatory document stating, "The confirmation hearing is to verify the policy capabilities and qualifications of the ministerial nominee, and it is very inappropriate to mention the expression of opinion of an adult child, which is completely unrelated, as if it were the nominee's problem," adding, "Our society is not one of collective punishment."

Jeong explained, "As an adult and a professional, it is natural to think for oneself and express opinions on social issues at that time." It is known that Jeong's daughter initially refused the medical licensing exam but later took the additional exam and passed.

However, in a written response submitted to Representative Choi's office regarding the medical students' refusal to take the medical licensing exam, Jeong said, "I feel regretful. From the public's perspective, it is difficult to see it as a desirable means of expressing opinion." Regarding the inquiry about his daughter's participation in the additional exam, he answered, "She participated in the declaration of refusal to take the medical licensing exam as a way to express opinion on government policy, but took the exam to fulfill her role as a doctor amid the COVID-19 outbreak."

Meanwhile, Jeong stated regarding the expansion of medical school quotas, "It is a matter that requires discussion with the medical community," and added, "While discussing ways to increase the number of doctors, I will review the necessity of increasing medical school quotas and introducing a regional doctor system."

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