의대협 Launches 'Thanks Challenge' on 6th
Opposes Government Medical Policies Including Medical School Quota Expansion
Over 1000 Photos Uploaded on Instagram 'Thanks Challenge'
The Korean Medical School and Graduate School of Medicine Student Association (KMSA) encouraged participation by releasing the 'Thanks Challenge' on Facebook on the 6th. Photo by KMSA Facebook
[Asia Economy Intern Reporter Kim Bong-ju] National medical students who have engaged in collective actions such as alliance leave of absence and refusal to take the national medical licensing exam in opposition to government policies like the expansion of medical school quotas are causing a stir by conducting the 'Deokbuneuramyeo Challenge,' a twist on the 'Thanks to Challenge.'
The Korean Medical School and Graduate School of Medicine Student Association (KMSA) posted on Facebook on the 6th, stating, "'Deokbuneuramyeo Challenge' contains a message calling for reflection on and withdrawal of the government's double standards," and released a poster showing a thumbs-down gesture.
KMSA criticized, "The government praised healthcare workers dedicated on the front lines of COVID-19 through the 'Thanks to Challenge,' but in the process of implementing medical policies, the voices of the medical community have been excluded, and policies leading to the collapse of the medical system are being pushed unilaterally."
The 'Deokbuneuramyeo Challenge' poster parodies the 'Thanks to Challenge,' which shows a thumbs-up to express gratitude to medical staff dedicated to overcoming COVID-19. The poster includes phrases such as "The dream of public healthcare abandoned for showy policies," "Have you already forgotten the underfunded medical schools?" and "Health comes before politics."
The Korean Medical School and Medical Graduate School Student Association (Uidae-hyeop) encouraged participation by releasing the "Thanks Challenge" on Facebook on the 6th. Photo by Uidae-hyeop Facebook
They released the relay 'Deokbuneuramyeo Challenge' conducted by student councils from 40 medical schools and graduate schools of medicine nationwide, encouraging other medical students to participate. The challenge proceeds via SNS, where participating medical students nominate 3 to 4 other medical students.
In response, medical students are actively joining the challenge by posting photos of themselves wearing white coats with thumbs turned down on SNS. About two weeks after the challenge began, on the 21st, over 1,000 photos with the hashtag 'Deokbuneuramyeo Challenge' were posted on Instagram.
Medical students participating in the challenge share photos of themselves with thumbs down along with messages such as, "Although I am just a student of a single medical school, I will not stand by as the medical reality of South Korea collapses," and "Even though we are accustomed to living in compliance, this time we must raise our voices."
While some defend the campaign saying, "It must have been serious for medical students to rise up," others criticize it as excessive, especially as it is taking place amid the resurgence of COVID-19. Some netizens voiced criticism, saying, "The Thanks to Challenge is an expression of gratitude to healthcare workers dedicated during the COVID crisis, not about medical students," and "In the end, it's just about protecting their own interests." As of the 21st, the number of new confirmed cases exceeded 300 for the first time since the Shincheonji incident, reaching 324.
Meanwhile, KMSA announced on the 18th that they have decided to refuse to take the national medical licensing exam and to take collective leave of absence scheduled for the 1st of next month. According to a survey on refusal to take the national medical licensing exam conducted by them, 91.7% of exam candidates responded, with 88.9% of respondents and 81.5% of all candidates supporting the refusal.
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