KMA: "We Will Find the Author of the Post Claiming 'Pharmaceutical Company Employees Were Forced to Attend Rally'"

"If true, discipline the member and apologize to the party involved"

The Korean Medical Association will initiate legal action to identify the author of a post claiming that pharmaceutical company employees were forcibly mobilized to a doctors' rally.

Joo Suho, Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee Public Relations Committee of the Korean Medical Association. / Photo by Choi Taewon peaceful1@

On the 4th, the Association's Emergency Response Committee held a regular briefing at the Korean Medical Association Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, announcing this. Joo Su-ho, the committee's media and public relations officer, stated, "Neither the Emergency Response Committee nor any affiliated organizations have ever instructed pharmaceutical company employees to be mobilized to rallies, nor are we such an incompetent group to do so." He added, "We have retained a lawyer and will proceed with legal action to find the person who wrote the post," and "Through police investigation, it will be revealed whether this was due to misconduct by a doctor member or a scheme to defame doctors."

He also said, "If it turns out that such a doctor member exists, the Association will take the initiative to discipline the member and apologize to the affected party who was treated unfairly."

The controversy arose on the 2nd when a person presumed to be a pharmaceutical company employee posted on an online community site, which requires workplace verification for membership, claiming that doctors were forcibly mobilized by the Korean Medical Association Emergency Response Committee to the 'National Doctors' General Rally.' In response, the government stated, "We will thoroughly investigate and hold accountable according to the law if any violations are confirmed."

Concerns were also expressed that the future of healthcare would collapse if the government pushes forward with policies to increase medical school admissions and essential medical care packages. He said, "Residents and students, who are the future of Korean healthcare, are giving up their futures as doctors," and "Korea will suffer irreparable damage."

Furthermore, he said, "We requested the government to listen to medical experts and establish proper policies, but the government forced issues that could have been resolved through dialogue and compromise, driving doctors to take to the streets."

He also claimed that the government has fallen into self-contradiction. Chairman Joo pointed out, "If the government suspends residents' licenses for more than three months, even if the suspension period ends and they can return, they will not be recognized for the one-year training period, so residents will not return to hospitals," adding, "Ultimately, this means telling residents to take a year off. The government has fallen into self-contradiction."

Concerns were raised that the government's hardline stance could damage Korea's image abroad. He said, "As the government's repression of doctors' freedom and human rights intensifies, the World Medical Association and many foreign media outlets have expressed concern and criticism," and "We are afraid that Korea will be perceived as a country where freedom and human rights are disregarded."

The World Medical Association (WMA) issued two statements on the 2nd and 3rd strongly supporting the Korean Medical Association amid the healthcare crisis caused by the Korean government. The WMA stated, "The Korean Medical Association believes the government's claims against doctors resisting government policies were made without sufficient consultation and agreement with the expert group," and "The World Medical Association fully recognizes doctors' right to collective action," adding, "Like other professionals, doctors have the autonomy to choose their profession."

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