Joint Declaration from Medical Community: "Premature to Join Consultative Body Without Government Changes"

KMA, Medical School Professors Association, Korean Medical Association, and 5 Other Organizations
"Stop Forcing Investigation and Increase of Residents" Demand

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) and other medical organizations have expressed their stance that they cannot participate in the formation of a bipartisan medical council being promoted by the political sphere, stating that it is "premature under the current situation where the government’s attitude has not changed." These organizations urged the government to "stop investigations related to the resignation of residents and refrain from forcibly pushing the 2025 quota increase if it wants dialogue."

On the afternoon of the 13th, Anna Choi, spokesperson for the KMA (photo), held a briefing at the KMA headquarters and announced a joint statement from the medical community regarding participation in the bipartisan medical council related to the medical crisis.

The statement was issued with the participation of a total of eight organizations, including the KMA, the Korean Association of Medical School Professors (KAMSP), the Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors (ECMSP), the Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Medical Schools (KAMC), the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, the Korean Association of Private Practitioners, the Council of Presidents of Metropolitan and Provincial Medical Associations excluding the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association, and the KMA General Assembly.

The participating organizations stated, "We believe that participation in the bipartisan medical council is premature at this point, given the government’s unchanged attitude." They criticized Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s remarks in the National Assembly, such as "The primary responsibility for the medical crisis lies with the residents" and "The reports of people dying are fake news," saying "the government remains obstinate."

Spokesperson Choi emphasized, "This situation will not be resolved unless the government acknowledges its flawed policies," adding, "The government must stop its lack of communication and demonstrate a progressive change." She also clarified that such progressive changes include reconsidering the 2025 quota increase, issuing an apology or expression of regret for forcibly pushing policies, and halting investigations into residents.

Choi criticized, "While the government says it wants to negotiate, it summons innocent residents to police stations, humiliates and intimidates them in front of the entire nation, and then demands they join the council. This is not an offer for dialogue but a mockery of the medical community." She said, "If the government truly wants dialogue, it should immediately stop investigations related to residents’ resignations."

Choi further argued, "If the government proceeds with the 2025 plan as scheduled, medical students will not return to school, and next year, instead of educating about 3,000 students, they will have to educate 7,500 students, causing 30 years of ongoing chaos." She added, "The issue of medical school quotas should not be forcibly pushed while causing a medical crisis as it is now, but should be decided after in-depth discussions on the impact of increasing the number of doctors on our society."

When asked whether the KMA had any discussions with residents and medical students, she replied, "Information is being shared," but added, "Since their resignations and leaves of absence were individual choices, the KMA does not interfere with their personal decisions." Regarding questions about internal conflicts, such as the discord between Dan Park, emergency committee chair of the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), and Hyun-taek Lim, president of the KMA, she said, "It is difficult for any organization to have completely unified opinions," and "There may be members with differing views."

She emphasized, "The KMA is the only legally recognized organization representing 130,000 doctors, and today, all organizations that could be central to any future negotiations gathered to issue a unified statement."