Doctor-turned-politician Ahn Cheol-soo: "We cannot stand by... Let's return to the Hippocratic Oath"

Nationwide Residents Leaving Medical Field
Rep. Ahn: "Patient Health Must Be the Top Priority"
Regarding Medical School Expansion: "Should Increase Gradually"

Amid the nationwide withdrawal of residents from medical sites in protest against the government's plan to increase medical school quotas, Ahn Cheol-soo, a doctor-turned-lawmaker from the People Power Party, appealed for their return on the 20th, saying, "We are doctors who have taken the Hippocratic Oath." Ahn stated this through his social media (SNS) on the same day, adding, "As a doctor and politician, I cannot just stand by."

"Patient Lives and Health Must Not Be Compromised" Urges Return to Medical Sites

Ahn Cheol-soo, member of the People Power Party. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

Ahn addressed the residents, saying, "Under no circumstances should the lives and health of patients be compromised. Stop collective actions and return to the Hippocratic Oath, which says, 'I will prioritize the health of my patients above all else.'" He also demanded the government to "present a detailed plan for expanding the necessary medical workforce while simultaneously proposing measures to train essential medical personnel and physician-scientists and strengthen regional healthcare, which are serious issues in the medical community."

He stated, "This is a critical situation where we must prevent the public's misfortune and sacrifice caused by the medical crisis," but also argued, "We need to establish a mid- to long-term roadmap through dialogue to resolve the medical community's issues and gradually increase medical school quotas as needed." He further pointed out, "Suddenly increasing medical school quotas by 2,000 is not a simple matter when considering the infrastructure of medical schools, the guarantee of education and training quality, the impact on youth education and entrance exam systems, and the retake rates of science and engineering talents."

He added, "I propose that the government and doctors come together to jointly promote an agreement on a roadmap for medical school quota increases along with practical preparations for medical reform. Medical professionals should also stop collective actions and engage in dialogue as a grand decision to protect the lives of the people." He emphasized, "If the public becomes the victim, their voices will not reach the people. There must never be a medical crisis that makes the public victims through a head-to-head confrontation."

Medical Community: "Must First Resolve Avoidance of Essential Medical Fields"

On the 20th, residents from the Big 5 hospitals stopped working as of 6 a.m. Residents attending the "Korean Intern Resident Association 2024 Emergency Temporary General Assembly" held at the Korean Medical Association in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, are waiting for the meeting to begin. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

Earlier, Ahn expressed support for the government's plan to increase medical school quotas but stated that the avoidance of essential medical fields must be addressed first. On the 6th, he said, "As a member of the public, I agree that more doctors are needed," but warned, "If we only increase quotas without solving the problems, in 10 years, 2,000 dermatology clinics will be created annually in Seoul."

Medical organizations maintain their stance that there is no scientific basis for the government's plan to increase medical school quotas by 2,000. On the MBC program '100-Minute Debate' aired that day, Professor Jung Jae-hoon of Gachon University’s Department of Preventive Medicine, opposing the quota increase, argued, "If the increase is implemented without changes to the current medical system and without discussions on essential medical policies, 2,000 of the best talents from science and engineering will move into the medical field." He added, "The effect of the 2,000 quota increase will be realized too late, and the evidence is unclear. The national damage caused by the concentration in medical schools could become even greater."

However, Yoo Jung-min, Strategy Team Leader of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said, "(The government) has never said it would only increase the number of doctors," adding, "We will promote policies to create so-called 'Big 5' capable hospitals in regions and ensure good personnel are assigned, as well as policies to resolve imbalances in regional and essential medical fields."

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