Medical Students Express 'Intention to Apply'... The Key Is Public Opinion

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Fourth-year medical students have expressed their intention to take the medical licensing examination (Kuksi) practical test, but given the cold public opinion, it is uncertain whether additional exam opportunities will be granted.

Initially, the government hinted at the possibility of considering additional exams if requested by medical students, but it is now taking a firm stance, stating, "It is not possible to grant additional Kuksi opportunities based solely on the declaration of intent to take the exam."

Representatives of fourth-year students from 40 medical schools and medical graduate schools nationwide announced on the 24th through a joint statement that "fourth-year students from 40 medical schools and medical graduate schools nationwide express their intention to take the Kuksi." This comes about 40 days after they decided to refuse the exam on the 18th of last month in protest against the government's medical policies.

In their statement, they said, "At this moment when public health rights are threatened due to the spread of the novel coronavirus infection and issues regarding the supply of medical personnel have emerged, we want to return to our original position as students and strive for 'right values and proper medical care.'"

The government has maintained the position that "re-examination is not possible as medical students have not expressed their intention to take the exam." However, it appears cautious even after the students belatedly declared their intention to take the exam directly.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated in a text statement distributed to the press corps yesterday, "The government's existing position remains unchanged, and it is not possible to grant additional Kuksi opportunities solely based on medical students' declaration of intent to take the exam," adding, "Issues of fairness and equity with other national exams and the resulting public acceptance must be comprehensively considered."

The government's firm stance is because public opposition to rescuing the medical students is high, making it difficult to gain public consent. More than 570,000 people agreed to a Blue House petition opposing "re-registration or other subsequent relief for medical students who canceled their Kuksi registration," which closed on the 23rd.

The medical community argues that considering the shortage of medical personnel if doctors are not produced, re-examination opportunities should be given. This year, 86% of the total candidates did not take the Kuksi, and if they repeat a year, it could immediately disrupt the recruitment of interns at training hospitals, public health doctors, and military medical officers.

Han Hee-cheol, chairman of the Korea Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC), said, "Although the public may have complaints about fairness, realistically, the production of doctors is necessary to protect public health rights."