Ewha Medical School Student Council: "Vice Minister of Health's Sexist Remarks... Resign"

Ministry of Health and Welfare Denies Any Disparaging Remarks Against Female Doctors

The Student Council of Ewha Womans University College of Medicine publicly apologized and demanded an explanation on the 21st, calling the remarks by Park Min-su, the 2nd Vice Minister of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, "outdated and discriminatory."

Previously, on the day before, Park Min-su explained the basis for expanding the medical school quota by 2,000 students, stating, "We analyzed the process by including the increase in the proportion of female doctors, as well as the differences in working hours between male and female doctors," which was criticized as a sexist remark. The Ministry of Health and Welfare refuted these criticisms, stating there were no disparaging remarks about female doctors.

Park Min-su, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, is holding a regular briefing of the Central Accident Response Headquarters for the doctors' collective action at the Government Sejong Complex on the morning of the 21st.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 21st, the Ewha College of Medicine Student Council posted a statement on social media (SNS), expressing "shock and deep regret over Vice Minister Park Min-su's sexist remarks," and claimed, "The remarks were an attack on all female medical professionals."

They also stated, "Vice Minister Park raised the issue of 'a shortage of future doctors in South Korea' and cited 'the increase in the proportion of female doctors' as the basis. The remark that female doctors work fewer hours and thus are less efficient as medical personnel clearly reveals a sexist perspective that does not regard women and men as equal workforce," demanding "the specific grounds for these remarks be disclosed." They pointed out, "Vice Minister Park said to refer to a report published by the country's top research institution, but the source is unknown."

"Despite all doctors completing the same education, Vice Minister Park disparaged the abilities and professionalism of female doctors with baseless statements," they said, "We strongly demand a public apology and explanation. Furthermore, we urge him to take responsibility and resign."

Regarding Vice Minister Park's remarks, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) Emergency Committee also issued a statement demanding his resignation, accusing him of making misogynistic remarks. Additionally, the Seoul National University College of Medicine Hamchun Women Doctors Association announced it would file a complaint, stating that the remarks promote a sexist perspective. The Hamchun Women Doctors Association is an organization composed of female doctors who graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine.

In response to the controversy over sexism, the Ministry of Health and Welfare rebutted that it only explained the estimation method of the research report and denied any statements such as "female doctors have lower productivity" or "female doctors work fewer hours, causing a shortage of doctors."

Meanwhile, about 280 current students of Ewha Womans University College of Medicine submitted leave of absence applications in writing to the school on the 20th. They joined the collective action of medical students nationwide who decided to submit group leave of absence applications in protest against the government's plan to increase medical school quotas.