[Interview with Medical Association President Candidate] ⑤ Choi Anna, Medical Association Spokesperson, "I Will Unite Young Doctors"

Former Executive Director of Planning and Spokesperson
"Establishing Government Struggle and Negotiation System through Proactive Policy Production"
"Will Achieve Results by Collecting and Integrating Diverse Opinions from the Medical Community"

Choi Anna, spokesperson for the Korea Medical Association, is speaking about the escalating conflict between the medical community and the government on the morning of the 5th at the KMA building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Choi Taewon

Anna Choi, spokesperson for the Korea Medical Association (KMA), is an obstetrics and gynecology specialist who graduated from Korea University College of Medicine. She has been active in the group 'Doctors Truly Concerned About Obstetrics and Gynecology (Jinobi),' leading anti-abortion campaigns, and served as the head of the Central Infertility Treatment Center at the National Medical Center. After resigning, she has been serving as the planning director and spokesperson since May under the 42nd Im Hyun-taek administration.

On the 5th, Asia Economy held an interview with Spokesperson Choi at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, to hear her views on the next KMA management plan and the escalating conflict between the medical community and the government.

- What made you decide to run for the KMA president election?

▲ Over the past six months, working as the KMA spokesperson and planning director, I have felt the realities of the medical community more deeply than anyone else. Through this process, I judged that fundamental reform of the KMA’s structure is necessary, and I decided to run with the thought that things cannot continue as they are. Knowing where the (medical-government) conflict might lead if left unchecked, I believe it would be irresponsible to just stand by and leave. I want to solve the medical community’s problems and work properly for the members.

- The Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA) insists it will not return unless its seven demands are accepted. What is your view on this?

▲ It is an unavoidable claim. When the other side is pushing unreasonable increases and demonizing residents, along with humiliation and coercive administrative measures, insisting only on the seven demands is something the government should be grateful for. However, some parts of the seven demands will need to be changed or abandoned due to time constraints. It must be acknowledged that simple 'tangping' (lying down and doing nothing) alone cannot solve the problem.

- The Emergency Response Committee has demanded a complete halt to medical school admissions next year. What do you think about this?

▲ I see it as the committee fulfilling its given role. However, whether it is feasible or if there are alternatives is a separate issue. The committee probably knows whether a complete halt to medical school admissions in 2025 is possible, and I believe alternatives and responses have been prepared on that premise.

- How do you plan to unite the medical community?

▲ No group has a single voice. Multiple voices come together to discuss and reach conclusions. Due to the government’s divide-and-conquer strategy, the natural diversity of opinions is being unfairly criticized as disunity. I want to ask the government if it has presented a unified opinion itself.

Diverse opinions actually show the medical community’s strong will to resolve issues, which is a great strength. To stand against a government that is weakening us with one-sided accusations of division, it is important to be a candidate who listens to and gathers all opinions. I am prepared and capable of listening, understanding, persuading, and unifying.

- What goals and pledges will you present if elected president?

▲ Empowering young doctors within the KMA, developing the KMA as a policy-producing organization, establishing channels for members’ direct decision-making participation, strengthening self-regulation against problematic members, legislating principles for physician number projections and securing the independence of the Medical Evaluation Institute, improving the unreasonable training system, integrating the KMA’s online systems, and managing health care data.

- How will you approach the government if you become KMA president?

▲ Whether through struggle or dialogue, I will find ways to achieve results. We can no longer just make demands; we must solve problems. Even now, the government is pushing various harmful laws and unreasonable policies without consulting experts. I will work to correct unreasonable parts through legal amendments such as mandatory CCTV installation and license revocation laws. Also, I intend to proactively produce policies and promote them to the public. Through this, I will create a system that can negotiate with the government and maintain ongoing struggles.

- One of the expectations for the next administration is cooperation with resigned residents. How do you plan to cooperate?

▲ Participation, listening, and granting significant authority are key. But it is also important to communicate clearly and timely. Residents are not worried about cooperation failing; they fear being excluded and losing decision-making power over their futures. Ensuring that their concerns never arise and allowing free expression is the start of our relationship with residents. If elected, I will form the administration mainly with doctors licensed within the last five years. I plan to greatly increase participation from residents and medical students. I hope the Korean Intern Resident Association will join the KMA administration directly to discuss, contribute good ideas, and play an active role.

- Do you think there is a deadline to resolve the medical crisis?

▲ The deadline is when the government recognizes the seriousness of the situation and begins to reconsider from scratch. Currently, I think the deadline is unclear.

- The college entrance exam has already been held. What is your view on the possibility of adjusting next year’s increase in medical school admissions?

▲ It is a difficult issue. KIRA insists on stopping admissions, while the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences talks about adjusting numbers, showing differing opinions. It is hard to accept the increased numbers, but considering students and parents makes the situation even more complicated.

If the government proposes reducing the increased 2025 admissions back to the original quota, it would be necessary to gather opinions from each organization and organize them. However, it is a difficult issue with differing views, so it should be decided through discussions with various medical organizations.

- What impact do you think the martial law declaration and proclamation on the 3rd will have on the ongoing medical crisis?

▲ It is an outdated proclamation threatening to punish residents if they do not return. As a citizen, I believe a desperate fight will be needed to protect the legitimate freedoms of the press, freedom of occupation, and the most basic human rights that everyone should enjoy.

- What are your strengths and weaknesses as the next KMA president?

▲ The next president needs strong leadership, timely decision-making on issues, and the decisiveness to take responsibility for outcomes. My strengths include over 20 years of experience in the medical field, experience as spokesperson and planning director, the ability to represent young doctors’ voices, and being a prepared president ready to lead the KMA without a day’s gap.

My weakness is that I am from the previous administration that was impeached. However, I am different from former President Im Hyun-taek. I planned to support whoever was elected president at that time. Although from the previous administration, I am not one of Im Hyun-taek’s people. Rather, my experience in the previous administration helps me understand why the impeachment happened and how to resolve the current crisis best. If elected, I can start work immediately without any administrative gaps, which is also an advantage.

- How will you differentiate yourself from the previous administration?

▲ As spokesperson in the previous administration, I could not immediately push forward any plans. What I originally wanted and prepared was to change the discussion structure centered on young doctors. I wanted resigned residents and medical students to participate practically in the KMA, gather consensus, and have real power to implement changes. Not just as observers, but as actual core participants. However, I was unable to do this at all. I have given the position of election campaign chief to a resigned resident. I am currently preparing a campaign that includes not only young doctors but also medical students.

- Any final words?

▲ Since announcing my candidacy last Friday, nearly 1,000 members have written recommendation letters within three days. I bow my head in deep gratitude. I will make the KMA a dynamic organization led directly by young doctors, develop it as a policy-producing body, and create a completely new KMA. Anna Choi’s KMA is just beginning.

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