Doctors Gather for Discussion... "We Must Correct the Flawed Medical Reform"

"Health Care Policy Should Not Be Decided by Majority Logic"
"We Will Definitely Achieve the Goal of Normalizing Medical Care in the Republic of Korea"

The medical community, under the special committee for the entire medical sector, the "Special Committee for Proper Medical Care (Oltukwi)," held the "1st National Doctors' Grand Debate on the Life-or-Death of Korean Medical Care," asserting that "the flawed medical reform must be corrected even now."

Im Jeong-hyeok, co-chairman of the Special Committee for Proper Medical Care (Olteukwi) and president of the Daejeon Medical Association, is delivering the opening address at the "1st National Doctors' Grand Debate on the Life-or-Death of Korean Medical Care" held on the afternoon of the 26th at the Korean Medical Association Hall in Seoul. [Image source=Yonhap News]

Im Jeong-hyeok, chairman of Oltukwi and president of the Daejeon Medical Association, stated this during the opening remarks on the 26th at the Korean Medical Association (KMA) headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. He said, "A nation's health care policy is never a matter that can be decided simply by majority logic such as public opinion polls," adding, "Let us exert the power of collective intelligence to protect the advanced Korean medical system that we have arduously established by making efforts to correct the current mistakes, even now."

Im Hyun-taek, president of the KMA, also encouraged in his speech, saying, "The medical community has continuously warned how ineffective and dangerous the government's policies are and has fought to stop the promotion of flawed medical policies," and "Fortunately, through the medical community's struggle over the past five months, public opinion trends are shifting against the government's enforcement of increasing medical school quotas and the essential medical package policy."

He added, "We will never submit to the government's arrogance and stubbornness in insisting on enforcing flawed policies," and "We will definitely achieve the goal of normalizing Korean medical care."

During the grand debate, discussions will be held on topics such as "Korean Medical Care, Young Doctors, and the Future" and "Contradictions in Korean Medical Care and New Governance." Panelists include Choi Chang-min, chairman of the National Emergency Committee of Medical Schools, and Lee Deok-hwan, honorary professor of chemical and scientific communication.

Meanwhile, Oltukwi will cease operations after the grand debate. Previously, the KMA stated in its "Position on the Operation of Oltukwi," "Several operating committee members of the KMA General Assembly provided various advice on the operation of Oltukwi to the executive branch, and it was agreed to entrust the direction of Oltukwi's operation to the executive branch," adding, "To fully reflect the opinions of residents and to carefully reconsider the direction and continuation of Oltukwi, its operation will be suspended after the debate scheduled on the 26th."