Doctors Who Gave the Nation's Hearts 'Wounds' Instead of Treatment: Words and Words

Controversy Over Some Extreme Remarks
Emotions Poured Out Over Medical School Expansion
Criticism of Elitism and Sense of Superiority

As opposition from the medical community to the government's policy of increasing medical school quotas grows stronger, some doctors' heated remarks are causing backlash. There are also calls for the medical community to control their emotions and respond with more refined language.

Some medical professionals' 'slip-ups' spreading online have intensified the 'backlash.' For example, on the 22nd, Jwa Hun-jeong, Policy Director of the Seoul Medical Association, criticized the government policy at the 2nd rally held by the Seoul Medical Association in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office, saying, "If a patient dies, it is the government's fault," sparking controversy.

Doctors affiliated with the Seoul Medical Association are holding a rally on the afternoon of the 22nd in front of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, opposing the government's plan to increase the admission quota for medical schools.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

Director Jwa strongly rebuked Park Min-su, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, saying, "When did we ever agree to increase medical school quotas? According to your logic, it would be like saying that after a few dates, sexual assault is acceptable," and added, "Even if there comes a day when I see blood and take extreme measures myself, I will strip you of your clothes."

On the 21st, Lee Dong-wook, President of the Gyeonggi Medical Association, who appeared as a doctor panelist on MBC's '100-Minute Debate,' said, "With the regional doctor system, we have no choice but to select talents with significantly lower grades," and added, "Try selecting 80% local talents. Would the public want students who rank 20th to 30th in grades to attend medical schools just because they are from the region and be forced to serve mandatory duties?" His remarks drew criticism for 'elitism.'

On the 22nd, Joo Su-ho, Media Relations Commissioner of the Korean Medical Association's Emergency Committee, compared doctors, patients, and the government to a violent family during a briefing. He described doctors as the 'beaten wife,' patients as the 'children,' and the government as the 'violent husband.' He also questioned whether the 280 million KRW income of doctors who opened clinics at age 40 was an amount deserving criticism. He even said, "If it's urgent, just import foreign doctors." On his social media (SNS), he criticized the medical school quota increase by saying, "What is lacking in the provinces is civility," but later clarified, "It was never my intention to disparage local residents," after the controversy grew.

Meanwhile, remarks implying that the lives of critically ill patients could not be guaranteed also sparked controversy. At another rally held by the Seoul Medical Association near the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 15th, a resident doctor said, "You may ask how a doctor can leave the hospital leaving patients behind, but if I am not here, there are no patients, and I believe that protecting myself right now is an act of kindness," causing public uproar.

Former Korean Medical Association (KMA) President Roh Hwan-gyu wrote on Facebook on the 12th, "The government cannot defeat doctors," citing the past strike during the separation of prescribing and dispensing drugs. He said, "Looking at the ICU medical records of patients who died during treatment, they were left unattended for several days while doctors were absent in critical condition," and added, "The disaster has begun."

Citizens point out that the medical community should calm their anger and engage in negotiations with the government using refined language. A worker, who claimed to be neutral amid the standoff between the government and doctors, said, "There are quite a few problematic remarks among some doctors' statements. They even create resentment that did not exist before," and added, "It would be better for them to exercise restraint for their own sake."

One user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, "It only confirmed the pride and elitism of the doctor group," and criticized, "If they don't want to worsen the situation, they should start by controlling the individual doctors' statements."

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