"Public Judgment on Healthcare Policy"... Doctors React to Ruling Party's Crushing Defeat in General Election

The Korea Medical Association (KMA), which had been eager to speak with a 'unified voice' in the medical community, is now faltering due to internal divisions and conflicts with resident organizations. Amid this, as the three major terrestrial broadcasters' exit polls for the 22nd general election predicted that the ruling party would secure around 100 seats and suffer a crushing defeat, some medical groups responded by saying, "This is a public judgment on unilateral medical school expansion and other healthcare policies, and an expected outcome."

On the 10th, the KMA Emergency Committee did not immediately release a statement or comment on the exit poll results but is reportedly discussing the matter internally. Professor groups involved in the current situation, such as the National Association of Medical School Professors and the National Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors, also did not issue immediate reactions but are expected to discuss their stance at a general meeting after the vote count is complete.

On the 10th, the Korean Medical Association's Emergency Response Committee did not immediately release any official statements or comments regarding the general election exit poll results, but it is known that internal discussions on the matter will take place. Lee Sang-ho, the External Cooperation Committee Chair of the Emergency Response Committee, stated, "We are currently discussing internally whether to issue an official statement from the committee and its content," adding, "The election results represent the public's judgment against the undemocratic imposition of medical policies that disregarded procedures."
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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Lee Sang-ho, External Cooperation Committee Chair of the KMA Emergency Committee, said, "We are internally discussing whether to issue an official statement from the Emergency Committee and its content," adding, "The election results represent the public's judgment against the undemocratic and procedural disregard in pushing through healthcare policies."

Medical figures who have made strong statements against the government also posted individual comments on social media regarding the election. Resident doctor Ryu Ok-ha-da, who resigned, said, "The votes of doctors and their families, who mostly supported the People Power Party, had a decisive impact, and the public sympathized with the government's 'non-communicative' expansion policy," urging, "The government must accept this natural outcome and withdraw the policy."

Professor Jung Jin-haeng of Bundang Seoul National University Hospital, former chair of the Seoul National University Medical School Emergency Committee, posted that this was "a public judgment that did not forgive the destruction of constitutional order and infringement on individual basic rights." Former KMA presidents Roh Hwan-gyu and Joo Soo-ho, who are under police investigation for allegedly inciting collective action by residents, also expressed their views on the exit poll results via social media.

Former President Roh said, "This result was expected the moment the president announced the essential medical policy package last February," adding, "The conservative ruling party, which ignored the value of freedom, lost by itself." Former President Joo claimed, "The ruling party's crushing defeat in this election is the result of anger from 140,000 doctors, 20,000 medical students, and their families."

Kim Taek-woo, Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee of the Korean Medical Association, is holding a briefing to oppose the increase in medical school quotas on the afternoon of the 9th at the Korean Medical Association in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

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Meanwhile, the KMA Emergency Committee had planned to hold a joint press conference after the April 10 general election to begin the process of reaching a unified stance within the medical community. However, participation from residents remains uncertain, and differences have emerged between the KMA Emergency Committee and the next executive body. The KMA Emergency Committee explained the postponement of the joint press conference by stating, "Discussions need to take place within the resident organizations as well, and we are in the process of confirming the stance of the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA). There is confusion within the government, and both sides are unprepared for dialogue, so time is needed to organize matters."

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