Kim Taek-woo, Newly Elected President of the Korean Medical Association, "Medical School Education Must Be Normalized to Engage in Dialogue with the Government"

"Present a Master Plan for Medical School Education This Year"

Kim Taek-woo, president of the Korea Medical Association (KMA), asserted that the government needs to establish a plan to normalize medical school education before engaging in dialogue.

Kim Taek-woo, the newly appointed president of the Korean Medical Association, is delivering his inaugural speech at the inauguration ceremony held on the 14th at the Korean Medical Association building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

At the inauguration ceremony held on the 14th at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, President Kim stated, "Present a master plan to ensure that medical school education can be properly conducted this year."

In his inaugural speech, Kim said, "I will do my utmost to resolve the current situation and normalize the medical environment in the Republic of Korea," adding, "The government, which is responsible for the health and lives of the people, must stop its irresponsible and complacent delay tactics and approach the issue with the mindset that those who caused the problem should resolve it."

He continued, "The government and the ruling party still propose follow-up measures such as the special training exemption policy for resident enlistment without any concrete plan to resolve the situation and suggest resuming the already failed Yeouijeong consultative body," emphasizing, "The government itself must acknowledge that medical school education is impossible under the current circumstances and present a proper master plan for medical education?not a temporary fix?to ensure that medical school education can be properly conducted in 2025."

He also clearly stated that dialogue with the government is only possible after the normalization of medical school education. "I reiterate that the medical community can discuss and engage in dialogue on medical school education plans, including the issue of increasing medical school admissions in 2026, only after the government first presents a clear plan and definite policy to resolve the situation and normalize medical school education," he said.

He also expressed his ambition to innovate the KMA. President Kim said, "I will turn this moment into an opportunity for a turnaround, restore the status of the KMA, and be recognized by the government and the public for protecting the health and lives of the people," adding, "Rather than being led as in the past, we will take the lead in policy by producing and presenting policies first, fulfilling our role as an expert organization."

He further stated, "I will lead the agenda rather than opposing and withdrawing as in the past. Especially, I will manage the association to encompass all medical members across all professions and regions so that when my term ends, I can be remembered as a president who truly cared for the members," and "Even when facing insurmountable challenges related to the current medical crisis, I will wisely respond through a rational process that gathers consensus."

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