Jeonui Medical Association: "Medical School Expansion Not Up for Discussion... Resignation and Reduced Working Hours Begin" (Comprehensive)

The National Council of Medical School Professors (Jeonui Gyohyeop) declared that the expansion of medical school quotas will collapse the Korean medical system and announced that they will proceed with voluntary resignations and the 52-hour workweek as planned.

Kim Chang-su, Chairman of the National Council of Medical School Professors, is holding a briefing at 10 a.m. on the 25th at Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul. Photo by Choi Tae-won peaceful1@

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Jeonui Gyohyeop held a press conference at 10 a.m. on the 25th at Severance Hospital in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, to make this announcement. Kim Chang-su, the president of Jeonui Gyohyeop, said, "At the meeting with Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Chairman of the People Power Party, on the 24th, I expressed concerns that 'punishing residents will trigger resignations of medical school professors and lead to the collapse of the medical system.' I also demanded that the government take responsible measures, as intimidation of medical staff including residents and students by high-ranking public officials will worsen the situation."

He dismissed the expansion and allocation of medical school admissions quotas as not subject to consultation or discussion. He said, "An increase of 2,000 students is unacceptable. Education is simply impossible. In the case of Chungbuk National University, the quota has increased fourfold. This does not match the current facilities or educational conditions." He added, "Even if students are admitted, they will not have the opportunity to receive proper education, nor will they have the chance to receive appropriate training at hospitals. This cannot be considered a subject for consultation."

He also argued that intimidation of doctors by high-ranking officials is one of the main reasons for the worsening situation. President Kim said, "I believe the greatest responsibility for the worsening situation lies in the ridicule and intimidation of residents or doctors by high-ranking officials. High-ranking officials should maintain a certain level of language dignity when speaking to the public, but instead, they have caused serious harm to individual doctors through intimidation and harsh ridicule."

He proposed a re-discussion from the starting point, not an unconditional opposition to the increase. He said, "It has already been confirmed that education is impossible at most universities with increased quotas, such as Chungbuk Medical School and Busan Medical School, where the number has increased up to four times the current level. This crisis cannot be resolved unless the government withdraws the admission quotas and their allocation. If the government is willing to withdraw, we are prepared to discuss all issues openly with the public."

He added, "Voluntary resignations by professors triggered by the unilateral decision on admission quotas and the subsequent quota allocations that universities cannot handle, along with accumulated fatigue, have left us no choice but to implement the 52-hour workweek and reduce outpatient care for critical and emergency patients. These measures will proceed as scheduled starting today (the 25th)."

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