KMA Holds Candlelight Rally Opposing Medical School Expansion... No Announcement of 'Strike'

Simultaneous Events Held in 6 Locations Nationwide Including Seoul and Busan
"Big Battle Officially Begins from June"

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) held candlelight rallies opposing the increase in medical school admissions in six locations nationwide, including Seoul and Busan, on the 30th, criticizing the government.

Im Hyun-taek, President of the Korean Medical Association (center), is raising a candle high at the "Death Sentence on Korean Healthcare by the Government of the Republic of Korea" candlelight vigil held in front of Daehanmun Gate, Deoksugung Palace, Seoul, on the night of the 30th. [Image source=Korean Medical Association]

On the same day at 9 p.m., the KMA held candlelight rallies titled "The Republic of Korea Government's Death Sentence on Korean Healthcare" in front of Daehanmun at Deoksugung, Jung-gu, Seoul, as well as in Haeundae, Busan; Dongseong-ro, Daegu; in front of the National Asian Culture Complex, Gwangju; in front of Jeonbuk Provincial Office, Jeonju; and Boramae Park, Daejeon. A candlelight rally was also held the previous day in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province. According to the KMA, 2,000 people attended the Seoul rally alone, and including the rally held in Chuncheon the day before, about 10,000 people participated in the seven rallies.

At the Seoul rally, the KMA screened a video of a patient guardian’s appeal addressed to the president and responded to public inquiries regarding the increase in medical school admissions. They also performed a demonstration symbolizing the 'cardiopulmonary resuscitation' of Korean healthcare.

In his opening remarks, KMA President Lim Hyun-taek strongly criticized the government using expressions such as "Gestapo (secret police) of the Nazi era." He said, "The government treated me, the representative of 140,000 medical professionals, like a common criminal and filed charges, and treated residents as shameless criminals. This is something the Gestapo of the Nazi era would have done." He added, "The government is ignoring the voices from the medical field and is consistently enforcing one-way, oppressive crackdowns reminiscent of military dictatorship."

He continued, "Those who lead and ruin the people down the path of destruction have a predetermined destination," and added, "If the government continues on the path of ruining the country, doctors will stand at the forefront with citizens to remove those who are leading the nation astray."

However, no announcements were made regarding collective actions such as a "general strike of doctors," which had been speculated in some quarters. Regarding future struggles, President Lim only stated, "Starting in June, we will begin a major fight against the medical corruption. Professors have willingly agreed. Now, private practitioners and employed doctors must also actively join this major fight."