KMA: "Demonizing Resident Doctors' Departure Is Not Right... Dialogue Must Begin"

"Older Generations Must Offer the Best Path Through Rational Dialogue"

The medical community urged the government to engage in dialogue, stating that it should not ignore the cries of residents.

Kim Kang-hyun, spokesperson for the Emergency Response Committee of the Korean Medical Association, is holding a regular briefing at 3 p.m. on the 18th at the KMA Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Photo by Choi Tae-won peaceful1@

The Emergency Response Committee of the Korean Medical Association held a regular briefing at 3 p.m. on the 18th at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and announced this. Kim Kang-hyun, spokesperson for the KMA Emergency Response Committee, said, "We should not demonize the departure of residents, who make up less than 10% of the total medical workforce, nor should our society ignore the cries of residents simply because their numbers are small. The older generation has a responsibility to present the best path for Korean healthcare through rational dialogue. Policies that sacrifice young medical professionals as scapegoats for political gains must stop now."

He continued, "More and more citizens are now realizing that the government, not the doctors, is the main cause of the collapse of the medical community," adding, "The government should come to the table with sincerity for dialogue."

He also criticized the government's announced medical reform plans, including the improvement of the fee system. He said, "The medical community has long demanded a reform of the fee system, but the government has continuously ignored these demands. I am skeptical as to why the government is only now discussing the fee system reform," and added, "It is still unclear whether the 10 trillion won plus announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare means that the government will provide financial support to the health insurance finances, which form the foundation of the fee system."

Joo Young-soo, director of the National Medical Center, was also criticized for expressing regret over the statement made by specialists at the National Medical Center supporting the residents. It was pointed out as "an inappropriate remark for the head of the National Medical Center."

Earlier, the National Medical Center Specialists' Association, affiliated with the National Medical Center, issued a statement on the 15th saying, "The responsibility for the current resident departure crisis lies solely with the government, which unilaterally pushed the policy," and "We support the residents' position and will not stand by if any disadvantages occur to our juniors (residents)." In response, Director Joo held an 'emergency press conference on the statement issued by the Specialists' Association' and expressed his disagreement with the contents of the statement.

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