Democratic Party and Medical Association Clash Over Medical License Revocation Law for Violent Crimes Including Sexual Assault

KMA "Retaliatory License Revocation Law"
Democratic Party "Apply Requirements for Lawyers, Accountants, etc. to Doctors"
Rep. Kim Nam-guk and KMA President Choi Dae-jip Exchange Words on SNS

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] The Democratic Party of Korea and the Korean Medical Association (KMA) clashed over the amendment to the Medical Service Act that allows the revocation of licenses of doctors who commit violent crimes or sexual offenses. While the KMA opposed it as a retaliatory license revocation law, others explained that the license revocation criteria applied to other professional occupations were extended to doctors. There was continued condemnation from the medical community regarding the linking of the Medical Service Act amendment with the COVID-19 vaccination issue.

Choi Dae-jip, President of the Korean Medical Association

On the 21st, Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Nam-guk criticized on social media (SNS) Facebook, "Why does the People Power Party, which criticized the government as if the world would collapse because of delayed vaccinations, and the KMA, which threatens the public with vaccinations, not face criticism?" He added, "Is it because Chairman Choi Dae-jip is in cahoots with the People Power Party?"

Earlier, Kim also said the day before, "The KMA is truly pathetic and shameful," and "Perhaps even doctors themselves are ashamed of the KMA leadership." He pointed out, "If doctors threaten with vaccinations, are they gangsters or doctors?"

In response, KMA Chairman Choi Dae-jip said, "Kim Nam-guk, are you a thug or a lawmaker?" and "The Democratic Party is truly pathetic and disgusting." Chairman Choi criticized, "If a lawmaker uses legislative power to create a retaliatory license revocation law, is that a gangster or a lawmaker?" and added, "When the little squid jumps, the mudfish jumps too," mocking the situation.

Previously, the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee passed an amendment to the Medical Service Act that expands the existing regulation, which cancels a doctor's license if sentenced to imprisonment or higher for violating the Medical Service Act, to also revoke licenses if sentenced to imprisonment or higher for violent crimes or sexual offenses under laws other than the Medical Service Act. In response, the KMA countered, stating, "We clearly express that this will cause severe resentment among the KMA’s 130,000 members who are at the forefront of overcoming the national crisis, including COVID-19 vaccination support, and will cause significant obstacles to the COVID-19 response."

Kim Nam-guk, Member of the Democratic Party of Korea Photo by Yonhap News

Besides lawmaker Kim, Woo Won-shik of the Democratic Party also criticized the amendment linking the Medical Service Act and COVID-19 vaccination. Through SNS, Woo said, "The KMA calls the amendment, which cancels the licenses of doctors who commit violent crimes such as murder, robbery, and sexual assault and are sentenced to imprisonment or higher, an ‘evil law’ and is considering a total strike and vaccine boycott to block its passage in the plenary session." He added, "I hope the KMA does not give up being doctors by causing huge obstacles to overcoming the quarantine crisis through collective actions such as refusing vaccination cooperation." He explained, "This amendment cancels licenses for doctors sentenced to imprisonment or higher, like other professions such as lawyers, certified public accountants, and judicial scriveners, but excludes cases punished for professional negligence resulting in death or related crimes during medical practice, considering the characteristics of the profession." He said, "The KMA’s claim that this is an evil law or discrimination against a specific profession is hard for anyone to accept."

Woo condemned, "South Korea’s K-quarantine against COVID-19 was possible thanks to the public’s trust in the government and the medical community," and warned, "If actions contrary to the dedication and ethics of doctors who protect lives occur, the public will question the very reason for doctors’ existence."