Medical Students Absent from Collective Action Demand "Stop Public Shaming and Violent Coercion"

Medical students who do not participate in collective actions opposing the increase in medical school admission quotas have called for an end to the bullying and coercion targeting students occurring in some places.

'Dasaeng-ui' (Medical Students and Residents with Different Opinions) posted an urgent statement titled 'Demands to the Korea Medical Students Association (KMSA) and Each School' on their social media (SNS) account on the 23rd. Dasaeng-ui is a group of medical students and residents who do not agree with doctors' collective actions. Through anonymous Instagram and other SNS accounts, they gather the concerns and voices of individuals who share the same views.

Photo by Yonhap News

Dasaeng-ui criticized, "Stop the totalitarian bullying and violent coercion," adding, "Some schools are demanding face-to-face apologies and explanations from all grades targeting students who wish to return or have attended classes, which is unacceptable in a democratic society."

They condemned this as "a serious violation of individual rights and tantamount to threatening participation in collective actions."

The group also demanded that each medical school's Emergency Response Committee (ERC) cease the use of signed voting. They stated, "In the medical school community, constructive discussions on healthcare policies have disappeared, and only a dominant atmosphere demanding the identification of members who do not participate in the hardline actions opposing the quota increase as 'traitors' prevails. Unless totalitarian practices such as signed voting and contacting absentees are corrected, the current leave of absence cannot be considered 'voluntary.'"

Additionally, they urged the KMSA to disclose the results of the survey conducted among all students before deciding on the strike leave on the 18th of last month. Dasaeng-ui emphasized, "The survey included questions about opinions on the medical school quota increase, the essential medical package policy, and willingness to participate in the strike leave, but the results have not been disclosed without any explanation. Students have the right to know their peers' opinions and to verify whether the KMSA's strike leave policy is based on minimal democratic procedures and grounds."

Furthermore, Dasaeng-ui called on each school's student council to cooperate with and protect students who wish to return, urging, "They should not block students from contacting faculty, administrative offices, or the media."