World Medical Association Urges Korean Government to Halt Measures... "Medical Community in Confusion"

by Kim Bokyung

Published 02 Mar.2024 14:11(KST)

Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

The World Medical Association (WMA) has urged the Korean government to cease coercive measures. In a statement on the 1st, the WMA diagnosed that the government's decision to increase medical school quotas by 2,000 was "unilaterally decided without clear evidence."

The WMA revealed that it is closely monitoring the current situation in Korea triggered by the expansion of medical school quotas, stating, "The unilateral decision by the government, implemented without clear evidence, has thrown the medical community into confusion."

The mass resignation of residents and medical students, along with collective leaves of absence and class boycotts, were viewed as peaceful exercises of their rights within the framework of democratic laws and the constitution.

The WMA warned, "The government's attempts to prevent individual resignations and restrict school admission conditions are considered potential human rights violations and could set a dangerous precedent."

The World Medical Association strongly urged the Korean government to reconsider this measure and to stop coercive actions against the medical community, emphasizing that "the principles of justice, human rights, and ethical medicine must be approached cooperatively."