'"Quit being a doctor and do welding" remark... Welding Association says "Is welding a joke?"'

Amid claims from the medical community opposing the government's plan to increase medical school admissions that "doctors are learning welding," the Korea Welding Association criticized the remarks as "belittling welding."

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Earlier on the 3rd, Lim Hyun-taek, president of the Korean Pediatric Society, posted on social media (SNS) that "one of the pediatric doctors is learning welding and said they no longer want to live in such a country."

Regarding these remarks, online communities criticized them as a blatant display of doctors' sense of privilege, belittling certain professions.

On the 17th, Min Young-chul, president of the Korea Welding Association, pointed out in an interview with Kukmin Ilbo, "It seems doctors are taking welding too lightly." He added, "In the past, welding was considered a 3D job learned by people with no other options, but now it is a high value-added, profitable profession. Doctors say they want to do welding instead of their main job, but how much can people who have studied medicine for years really know about welding?"

President Min stated, "I don't think it is a derogatory remark, but I do think it is inappropriate. If such incidents continue, we may send an official letter demanding a public apology."

Following related reports, President Lim posted on SNS, "If a doctor says they can't be a doctor and wants to become a lawyer and prepares for law school, would that be belittling lawyers? Or not?"

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