Medical community tries again to persuade medical students... "Final vote on 4th-year clinical students' declaration to take the national exam"

Han Hee-cheol, Chairman of the Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Schools, "Candidates Must Declare Intentions to Find Solutions"

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] "Since the government has promised not to unilaterally enforce medical policies such as expanding medical school quotas, students should now return to their original roles and take the medical licensing examination."

The Korea Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC) has once again attempted to persuade students who did not take the medical licensing examination. It is uncertain whether the government will open the opportunity to retake the exam, but the solution lies in medical students expressing their intention to take the exam.

On the 23rd, Han Hee-cheol, chairman of KAMC, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "Fourth-year medical students have not directly expressed their intention to take the practical portion of the medical licensing exam, making it impossible to retake the exam," adding, "Due to the schedule of the practical exam, the decision to take the exam should not be delayed any further. We have actively urged students to declare their intention to take the exam and are currently awaiting the results."

Chairman Han of KAMC said, "The practical exam is physically scheduled until November 20, so if they want to take it, they must express their intention within this week," and added, "Since the students, who are the exam participants, are refusing to take the exam, the government is in a helpless situation. We hope the students will make a decision."

According to the medical community, on this day, fourth-year medical students entered a final vote on whether to express their intention to take the practical portion of the medical licensing exam. This vote is conducted individually for all fourth-year students, as personal intention regarding the exam is important. KAMC plans to discuss future measures based on the students' voting results at 6 p.m. that evening.

Chairman Han of KAMC said, "If students do not take the licensing exam, training hospitals will be unable to recruit intern doctors, leading to manpower shortages, and there will also be a shortage of public health doctors and military medical officers," adding, "Since this damage could affect not only the medical community but also the public, we strongly hope students will take the licensing exam."

He said, "Through the medical-government agreement, the Korean Medical Association and residents have all returned to the medical field, leaving only the students alone," and added, "The doctors' strike is something the medical community should apologize for, and since the medical students engaged in student activism, they should ask for the public's understanding." He continued, "The government and the medical community are locked in a daily pride battle, but someone needs to mediate. Since the government has promised to reflect the medical community's opinions in medical policies, now the students must return to their original roles."