Former KMA President Noh Hwan-gyu Says "Doctors Will Face More Difficulties" Following Election of Medical School Expansion Supporter

Former KMA President Noh Hwan-gyu Criticizes President-elect Kim Yoon
Expresses Bittersweet Feelings Following Exit Poll Results Announcement

Former President of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), Roh Hwan-gyu, has launched a fierce criticism against Kim Yoon, the elected representative. Kim, a professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine, has advocated for the controversial 'medical school expansion' opposed by the majority of doctors. He ran as number 12 on the proportional representation list for the Democratic United Party in the 22nd National Assembly election and secured his seat. The Democratic United Party, a proportional party of the Democratic Party, garnered 26.69% of the vote, winning a total of 14 seats.

(From left) Roh Hwan-gyu, former president of the Korean Medical Association, Kim Yoon, professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine. [Photo by Yonhap News, captured from Kim Yoon's Facebook]

On the morning of the 11th, former President Roh posted a series of evaluations of the general election results on his social media (SNS). Quoting his mother’s remark that "the only thing that has regressed in South Korea over the past 30 years is politics," he said, "We have Yoon Seok-yeol as president, Lee Jae-myung as the leader of the major opposition party, and now we live in a country with Cho Kuk as the leader of the third party." He added, "The ruling party, which we thought pursued liberal democracy, turned out to be a soulless party sympathizing with fascism. A person named Kim Yoon has become a member of the National Assembly, and we now live in an era where bills he proposes can be passed solely by the Democratic Party."

Former President Roh continued, "We now live in a country where constitutional amendments are possible if only a few people change their minds," and said, "Even though the party that tormented doctors suffered a crushing defeat, doctors’ spirits have become even more distressed. They stand at a crossroads between ignoring or changing the situation." In another post, he said, "Doctors were collectively depressed because the ruling party tormented them, and now that the tormenting ruling party has been defeated, they are collectively depressed again. Thinking about this situation makes me even more depressed."

Just before the exit poll results were announced, he stated, "As expected, the People Power Party suffered a crushing defeat," adding, "This prediction was made the moment President Yoon Seok-yeol announced the essential policy medical package on February 6. Only the foolish did not know. The destruction of conservatism began with President Yoon and was completed by conservative citizens who either ignored or were ignorant of the values of People Power and freedom." Nevertheless, he said, "This kind of election is truly unprecedented. While I hope for the defeat of the People Power Party, I do not wish for a crushing defeat. I hope the constitutional amendment threshold is maintained." He lamented, "I hate those who betrayed us, but I hope a miserable situation does not arise. Rather, my worries have greatly increased."

Meanwhile, Professor Kim is a prominent healthcare professional who has strongly advocated for medical school expansion. He argues that the number of new medical students should be increased by more than 4,500 annually for 15 years. Former President Roh has repeatedly criticized Professor Kim’s push for medical school expansion on his SNS. He particularly pointed out that Kim, who opposed increasing the number of doctors between 2011 and 2017, suddenly changed his stance in 2020 when former President Moon Jae-in announced plans to expand and establish new medical schools. Roh expressed concern, saying, "Doctors are already worried about what will happen if he, once called the public enemy of the medical community, enters the National Assembly." The two also had a heated debate regarding the government’s health insurance coverage expansion policy, known as 'Moon Jae-in Care,' between 2017 and 2018.

After his proportional representation election was confirmed, Professor Kim expressed on his SNS, "The people have shown that there is definitely an opportunity for those who dream and those who do their best until the end." He continued, "I will courageously move forward without retreat toward a people-centered healthcare reform, a society where both patients and healthcare professionals are happy, and a nation where proper medical services are accessible regardless of where one lives." He added, "I will discuss the medical reform roadmap, including medical school expansion, transparently in a public forum that meets the people’s expectations. I hope doctors will return to the patient’s side and participate unconditionally in social dialogue," urging the return of residents to clinical practice.

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