The Korean Medical Association Emergency Committee Holds 'National Doctors' Representatives Meeting'... "Aiming to Reassess Policies from the Ground Up"

"Evidence for Staff Increase Paper Is Flawed"
Marching in the Streets at 5 PM

Doctors representing various regions and medical professional organizations nationwide have entered a meeting to block the policy of expanding medical school quotas. The meeting was attended by members of the Emergency Response Committee, presidents of city and provincial medical associations, as well as representatives such as the Korea Public Health Doctors Association and the Korean Interns and Residents Association.

On the afternoon of the 25th at 2 PM, participants of the National Doctors' Representatives Expanded Meeting held at the Korean Medical Association Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, are chanting slogans before the meeting./Photo by Tae-won Choi peaceful1@

The Korean Medical Association Emergency Response Committee held an expanded meeting of national doctor representatives at 2 p.m. on the 25th at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Kim Taek-woo, chairman of the KMA Emergency Response Committee, stated in his opening remarks, "The three papers that argued the validity of the quota increase have been revealed to be so flawed that the entire nation is aware of their errors," adding, "We believe that our goal as 130,000 doctors is to have the flawed policy fundamentally reconsidered."

He continued, "Today is a gathering to discuss which direction we should take," and added, "We will do our best to manage this crisis well so that we can quickly return for the health of the people."

Lee Jung-geun, acting president of the KMA, said, "The expansion of medical school quotas is a significant issue that must be thoroughly reviewed based on objective evidence, considering the overall healthcare system of our country, national finances, public burden, and social problems such as avoidance phenomena," and warned, "If quotas are expanded without securing basic infrastructure and finances, the quality of medical education will be seriously compromised, which will inevitably lead to the collapse of healthcare in the Republic of Korea."

Park Sung-min, chairman of the KMA General Assembly, criticized, "Poorly supported and politically motivated policy decisions are driving us into crisis, blaming doctors as selfishly protecting their own interests, causing national confusion." He added, "All healthcare professionals want to stay by their patients' side," and urged, "Please set aside prejudices and listen to us at least once about why young residents are giving up on the medical profession they once considered their calling, and why students are abandoning their studies to become doctors, which they so deeply desire."

During the representatives' meeting, discussions were held regarding a nationwide doctors' general rally. They plan to inform members about participation in the rally scheduled for the 3rd of next month and encourage their involvement.

Meanwhile, after the expanded meeting of national doctor representatives concludes, the KMA Emergency Response Committee will lead a street march opposing the government's medical school quota expansion and essential medical policy package, heading to the Presidential Office in Yongsan at 5 p.m.

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