Investigation Begins into Hanyang University Medical Student by Police
Im Hyuntaek: "KMA Will Protect"
"Disaster If Even a Hair Is Touched"
Police investigations have begun into a Hanyang University medical student who forced another student to take a leave of absence and prevented their return to class. In response, Lim Hyun-taek, the next president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), warned of a strong response, stating, "If even a single hair of a medical student is touched, it will be catastrophic."
On the 24th, Lim posted this warning on his social media (SNS). He said, "Yesterday, the senior social secretary contacted the medical student who was reported for investigation, and the Korean Medical Association assured thorough protection, so there is no need to worry," adding, "If the government even touches a single hair of the medical students, they must remember that the only outcome left will be catastrophe."
Earlier, on the 18th, the Ministry of Education officially requested a police investigation into cases of coercion to participate in collective actions by medical students, which were reported through the 'Medical School Student Protection and Reporting Center.' The Ministry stated that the medical student task force (TF team) forced students to publicly apologize face-to-face to all grades if they attended classes, and that students who participated in classes were denied access to study materials known as 'jokbo.' In response, the police assigned the investigation to the Seongdong Police Station in Seoul, which has jurisdiction over Hanyang University, and announced that they would begin the investigation procedures as soon as materials were submitted by the Hanyang University administration office.
Concerns are rising that this incident could ignite another conflict between the medical community and the government. According to the medical sector, medical school professors opposed the government's medical reform, including the expansion of medical school quotas, and collectively submitted their resignations on the 25th of last month. It is understood that the resignations will take effect under civil law after one month has passed since submission. The Seoul National University Medical School Professors' Emergency Committee also announced that from the 30th day after submission, resignations will proceed based on individual choice. The Ulsan Medical School Professors' Council Emergency Committee stated that resignations would begin on the 25th, considering clinical and surgery scheduling, and that professors unable to resign immediately plan to take one day off per week starting from the 3rd of next month. From the 25th of last month to the 24th of this month, about 800 professors submitted resignations, accounting for 7% of the total medical school professors nationwide (11,502).
On the 24th, Park Min-su, the 2nd Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, stated at a briefing, "There are not many resignation letters that have been properly submitted to the authorities with the correct procedures, format, and content," and drew a line by saying, "It is understood that there are no plans to accept these resignations." He further criticized, "I do not understand what it means to resign when the resignation letters have not been accepted," adding, "In reality, there are not many irresponsible professors who say, 'I submitted my resignation, so I will not come to work starting tomorrow.'"
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
