KMA Welcomes Proposal for Dialogue with Residents... Calls for Suspension of Additional Allocations to Show Sincerity

"Looking at the follow-up actions, one cannot help but be suspicious"

The medical community expressed doubts about the government's statement that the number of medical school admissions could also be discussed, while welcoming President Yoon Seok-yeol's intention to meet directly with resident doctors.

Kim Taek-woo, Chairman of the Emergency Response Committee of the Korean Medical Association, is speaking at a regular briefing held at the Korean Medical Association Hall in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, at 3 p.m. on the 3rd. Photo by Choi Tae-won peaceful1@

The Korean Medical Association Emergency Response Committee held a regular briefing at 3 p.m. on the 3rd at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and made these remarks. Kim Taek-woo, chairman of the KMA Emergency Response Committee, said, "We watched the president's April 1st address with expectations but left disappointed," adding, "Later, the presidential office explained that the address included flexibility such as adjusting the increase in admissions, but it was difficult to confirm the true intent."

He continued, "The sincerity of the government's statement that policies are always open and that the number of medical school admissions can also be discussed can only be guaranteed by halting the ongoing allocation of increased medical school admissions for 2025," adding, "However, seeing follow-up measures continue, such as today's announcement to accept applications for increasing professors at national medical schools, we cannot help but doubt whether there is a genuine intention to adjust admissions."

Regarding President Yoon's announcement to meet directly with resident doctors, he said it was a welcome move. Chairman Kim stated, "It is a welcome development that the president will proceed with a direct meeting with resident doctors, as our emergency committee proposed last week." However, he also clearly expressed, "We firmly believe that this hard-won meeting must be a meaningful one."

He raised concerns about the government's plan to strengthen support for the medical sector, warning against hasty implementation. He said, "After the Cabinet meeting issued instructions to provide bold budget support for the medical sector starting next year, on the 2nd, the Ministry of Health and Welfare sent official letters to each academic society requesting them to prepare and submit budget proposals for resident training costs by the 8th," adding, "Is such a budget something that can be prepared so simply? I worry whether a hastily pushed budget can produce proper effects."

Regarding the announcement that the composition of the Presidential Medical Reform Special Committee will be expanded, he said the medical community should not be sidelined. Chairman Kim said, "Medical reform is a very significant social issue, so expanding diversity may be desirable," but added, "However, as seen in the Health Insurance Policy Deliberation Committee and the annual health insurance fee negotiation process, if the medical community is sidelined in the committee's composition, it is obvious that the purpose will not be achieved, which raises many concerns."