Medical student deciding to take the national exam late... Government in dilemma (Comprehensive Report 2)

Ministry of Health and Welfare: "No Change in Existing Position... Merely Expressing Intention to Apply Does Not Constitute a Situation for Granting Opportunity"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Seo So-jeong] Fourth-year medical students who had previously stopped refusing the medical licensing examination (Korean Medical Licensing Examination, KMLE) have now directly expressed their intention to take the practical exam of the KMLE. However, the government has maintained its previous stance of "no reconsideration for retaking the exam." Given that the exam has already started and there is significant public opposition, the government stated it will consider relief measures later, taking into account public acceptance.

On the afternoon of the 24th, when asked by reporters whether additional relief measures for medical students would be considered, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "The government's existing position remains unchanged," adding, "Simply expressing the intention to take the KMLE does not make it possible to grant additional exam opportunities." The ministry explained, "Granting additional opportunities for the medical licensing exam must comprehensively consider issues of fairness and equity with other national exams, as well as public acceptance."

Until now, the government has maintained the position that "reconsideration for retaking the exam is not possible if medical students have not expressed their intention to take it." However, as the medical community continues to demand relief for medical students and the students themselves have belatedly expressed their intention to take the exam, the government is reviewing the matter. Nevertheless, due to unfavorable public opinion and potential issues of fairness and equity, the government appears to be proceeding cautiously.

Representatives of Fourth-Year Students from 40 Medical Schools Declare "We Will Take the KMLE"
Ministry of Health and Welfare: "Public Acceptance Must Be Comprehensively Considered"

Representatives of fourth-year students from 40 medical schools and medical graduate schools nationwide issued a joint statement on the 24th, declaring their intention to take the KMLE. In the statement, they said, "At this time when public health rights are threatened due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and issues of medical workforce supply have emerged, we want to return to our original roles as students and strive for 'right values and proper medical care.'"

The medical students added, "We ask for the valuable interest and support of the public in establishing a healthy medical environment in Korea going forward," and "We look forward to a government that works for proper medical care in our country."

According to the medical community, the day before, fourth-year medical students held a final vote on whether to express their intention to take the practical exam of the KMLE. The vote was conducted individually among all fourth-year students, as personal intention regarding the exam was important. The results showed that the majority supported expressing their intention to take the exam.

The medical community, which has continuously encouraged medical students to take the national exam, plans to discuss with the government the possibility of retaking the exam now that the students have directly expressed their intention to participate.

Han Hee-cheol, chairman of the Korean Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC), said, "Previously, retaking the KMLE was not possible because fourth-year medical students did not directly express their intention to take the practical exam, but now they have united in their intention to take it," adding, "Since the practical exam runs until November 20 and time is limited, we will promptly discuss with the government, centered on the Korean Medical Association (KMA), to resolve the situation."

The KMA also stated in a press release on the same day, "We will share the students' intense worries and the heavy weight of their difficult decision," urging, "We ask the government to respond with progressive measures so that the students can return to their original roles."

The Korean Medical Students Association (KMSA), representing medical students, had refused to take the KMLE last month in protest against the government's major medical policies, including the expansion of medical school quotas. Although the KMA, government, and ruling party agreed on the 4th to renegotiate related policies from scratch, the students continued collective action, claiming the agreement was rushed. However, as residents returned to clinical practice and internal criticism arose that the justification for collective action among medical students had disappeared, on the 14th, they announced the suspension of collective actions such as strike leave and refusal to take the national exam.

In the medical community, since fourth-year students had used refusal of the KMLE as a form of collective action, the suspension of collective action was interpreted as implying their intention to take the exam. However, the government stated that since the medical students had not directly expressed their intention to take the exam, it could not consider relief measures. Subsequently, public opinion, especially among fourth-year students who must take the exam immediately, shifted toward "they should take the exam," and after several internal discussions, they ultimately expressed their intention to take the exam through a final vote on the day.

Meanwhile, only 14% (446 out of 3,172 eligible candidates) applied for the medical licensing exam, which closed on the 6th.