"Stop Government's Ambition"... Medical Association Emergency Committee Declares 'Fight' to Block Medical School Expansion

by Choi Taewon

Published 17 Feb.2024 16:42(KST)

First Emergency Committee Meeting Held at 4:30 PM on the 17th

The Korean Medical Association Emergency Response Committee announced on the 17th that it will launch a struggle to block the increase in medical school admissions.

Kim Taek-woo, Chairman of the Emergency Committee of the Korean Medical Association, is announcing the declaration of struggle at the 1st Emergency Committee meeting held at the Korean Medical Association building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, at 4:30 p.m. on the 17th.
Photo by Choi Tae-won peaceful1@

Kim Taek-woo, chairman of the KMA Emergency Response Committee, stated this at the first Emergency Response Committee meeting held at 4:30 p.m. at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Before the official start of the meeting, he said that the government announced a large-scale increase in medical school admissions without consultation, adding, "With the government's intention confirmed, we have only one choice left." He emphasized, "All members, including medical students, residents, medical school professors, employed doctors, and private practitioners, must unite under the Emergency Response Committee and engage in an all-out struggle to stop the government's ambition." He continued, "The Emergency Response Committee declares that it will mobilize all possible lawful means, methods, and capabilities to fight."

At the first meeting of the Emergency Response Committee, plans for the struggle and future roadmaps were discussed. It is known that refusal to provide medical services is being considered as one of the struggle methods.

From 6:30 p.m. on the same day, a joint meeting of the Emergency Response Committee, 16 city and provincial medical associations, and the Delegate Council Steering Committee will also be held.

Earlier, the KMA Delegate Council Steering Committee held an extraordinary delegate general meeting on the 7th and resolved to establish the 'Emergency Response Committee to Block Medical School Admission Increase.' On the 9th, Kim Taek-woo, chairman of the Gangwon Medical Association, was elected as the chairman to lead the Emergency Response Committee.