Government Increasing Medical School Quotas for Leukemia? Patients Say "Statements Undermine Fighting Spirit"

Leukemia Patient Association Expresses Regret
"Violation of Patient Rights... It's Appalling"

Leukemia patients expressed regret over doctors referring to the government pushing for an increase in medical school admissions as the "Leukemia Government," stating that "using a disease as a negative metaphor is not only a violation of human rights but also causes irreparable harm."

On the 18th, the Korea Leukemia Patient Association released a statement criticizing, "The chairman of the Gangseo-gu Medical Association in Seoul likening the government's policy to increase medical school admissions to leukemia is an inappropriate remark that infringes on patients' human rights and undermines their will to fight the disease."

On the 15th, outpatients and their guardians are waiting in line at the reception desk of a university hospital in Seoul. Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

Earlier, Cho Yong-jin, chairman of the Gangseo-gu Medical Association in Seoul, criticized the government's plan to increase medical school admissions, saying, "If you want to be recorded as the 'Leukemia Government' that caused leukemia in the Republic of Korea, you may proceed with the increase." At the Seoul Medical Association's rally held in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day to oppose the increase in medical school quotas and the essential medical package, Cho stated, "Doctors are like immune cells, white blood cells, that protect the health of the people," adding, "Forcing an increase in doctors will cause leukemia, which is characterized by abnormally excessive proliferation of white blood cells."

In response, the Patient Association said, "We feel not just disappointed but devastated," criticizing the remarks. They continued, "It is deplorable that patients hear such discouraging comments from doctors," and "We once again strongly express our regret over these inappropriate remarks that violate the human rights of leukemia patients."

Furthermore, they emphasized, "As the collective resignation of residents continues into its fourth week, essential tests and treatments for leukemia are increasingly being delayed," urging, "We ask the medical community and government to empathize even a little with the anxiety, pain, and frustration of patients who endure and receive treatment because they are sick and want to live, sharing a spirit of solidarity through shared suffering (同病相憐)."