The Next Chairman of the Korean Medical Association Questions Whether the Economic Justice Network Is Truly a Civic Activist Group Amid Medical Sector Criticism

"Medical Community Criticism Must Be Justified"

Im Hyun-taek, the president-elect of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), demanded that the Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice (CCEJ), which criticized the KMA, clarify the basis of their criticism of the medical community.

Lim Hyuntaek, president-elect of the Korean Medical Association, is holding a press conference on the 29th at the Korean Medical Association in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jinhyung aymsdream@

According to the KMA presidential transition committee on the 16th, Im sent an official letter to the CCEJ urging them to provide answers to their inquiries and clearly state their position on the commentary released the previous day.

Earlier, the CCEJ issued a commentary titled "The 22nd General Election, the People's Judgment on Medical School Expansion, and the Medical Community's Claims," criticizing the KMA with expressions such as "It is astonishing that the medical community interprets the election results as public opinion on medical school expansion and unites as a 'one team' to block the expansion," and "The medical community's interpretation of the people's judgment on medical school expansion is a shameless and brazen idea by those who created the current medical crisis while trying to protect their privileges."

Im demanded, "Please clarify the current evaluation of the 2000 separation of prescribing and dispensing led by the CCEJ and the clear stance on the separation system," and "If the policies advocated by the CCEJ cause public inconvenience, economic burdens, or failed policies benefiting only specific groups, please state what responsibilities you will take."

He also said, "I doubt whether the CCEJ, which claims to be a nonpartisan pure civic movement prioritizing the public interest of citizens without being bound by any particular party or ideology, is truly a pure civic movement organization," and "Looking back at past cases, we demand a prompt response on the basis for the CCEJ's criticism of the current medical community situation."