Im Hyuntaek Euihyeop President Inauguration "Will Revise Medical School Enrollment Increase of 2000"

Inauguration Ceremony of the 42nd President of the Korean Medical Association on the 2nd
"The Government Wants Division in the Medical Community
We Will Focus Our United Strength on Enhancing Our Rights"

Im Hyun-taek, the newly appointed president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), stated at the inauguration ceremony on the 2nd that he would "revise unreasonable policies" regarding the government's plan to increase medical school quotas by 2,000 students.

[Image source=Yonhap News]

At the inauguration speech held at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Im said, "We will thoroughly revise each of the various unreasonable policies encountered in the medical field, such as the issue of increasing medical school quotas by 2,000 students, which is the biggest issue facing the medical community, and the abolition of the essential medical package, to put them back on the right track."

Im added, "Two days ago, the court requested the government to withhold approval of the quota increase. We respect the judiciary's decision to put a brake on the government's reckless and unilateral policy push," and expressed concern over remarks from the presidential office that could undermine judicial independence. He continued, "The government's repeated claims about the basis for the 2,000 increase have been exposed as a self-serving interpretation of research," emphasizing, "Moreover, the recent autonomous adjustment of quotas at national medical schools is tantamount to the government admitting that the figure of 2,000 has no basis whatsoever."

He also stated, "The KMA will present scientific evidence to make the government realize how wrong and pathetic its policies are," stressing, "Today marks the beginning of correcting the medical and educational manipulation."

Along with this, Im called for 'internal unity.'

He said, "Division and conflict among us are exactly what the government wants, as their earnest wish is to keep us completely controlled and unable to move," urging, "I ask all members to unite their strength. With a consolidated strong force, we will devote all our efforts to advancing our rights and interests."

Im reiterated that he is pushing for the formation of a pan-medical community consultative body.

Earlier, the KMA presidential transition committee announced on the 30th of last month that they are forming a pan-medical community consultative body composed of the KMA, the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, medical school professors, residents, and medical students to engage in dialogue with the government. However, Park Dan, the emergency committee chairperson of the Korean Intern Resident Association, stated that there had been no discussion regarding the formation of the 'pan-medical community consultative body' promoted by Im. Im said on the day, "(With Chairperson Park) I intend to start dialogue from now on," adding, "I recently met Chairperson Park and plan to continue meeting regularly."