Joint Statement of the Korean Medical Association, Jeonui-bi, Jeonui-gyohyeop, Medical School Association, and Korean Academy of Medical Sciences
The Korean Medical Association (KMA) and medical professors have expressed their intention not to recommend members for the Physician Workforce Estimation Committee if discussions on the 2025 medical school quota are deemed impossible.
Choi Anna, spokesperson for the Korea Medical Association, announced a joint position on the discussion of increasing medical school quotas by the Korea Medical Association, the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, the National Council of Medical School Professors, the Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors Nationwide, and the Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Medical Schools at the Korea Medical Association building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 2nd. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the afternoon of the 2nd, the KMA, the Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors Nationwide (Jeon-ui-bi), the Council of Medical School Professors Nationwide (Jeon-ui-gyo-hyeop), the Association of Korean Medical Colleges and Medical Graduate Schools (Uidae-hyeophoe), and the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences announced this at a briefing on medical issues held at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul.
Choi Anna, spokesperson for the KMA, stated in a joint position paper, "The government is misleading the public through the media by claiming that it is impossible to withdraw the increase in the 2025 medical school quota simply because the 2025 admission process has started. However, as long as the 2025 admission process is not completely finished, it is entirely possible if the government has the will. The government says it wants to discuss without limiting the agenda. Therefore, the 2025 medical school quota must be included in the discussion."
She continued, "We demand discussions without limiting the agenda, including the 2025 medical school quota," and added, "Therefore, we will not recommend members for the ‘Physician Workforce Estimation Committee’ as requested by the Ministry of Health and Welfare by October 18."
She further emphasized, "If the government enforces a flawed policy, the collapse of medical education for the 2025 academic year is inevitable, and from 2026, not only will it be impossible to increase the quota, but even the original quota of 3,058 students cannot be admitted, making a reduction unavoidable. To prevent medical collapse and educational failure, we reiterate that discussions without limiting the agenda, including the 2025 medical school quota, must take priority."
They also stated that the approval of leave of absence by Seoul National University College of Medicine for medical students is justified and that they will actively support it. In a joint statement by the KMA, the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, Jeon-ui-gyo-hyeop, and Jeon-ui-bi, they said, "We actively support Seoul National University College of Medicine’s decision to approve the leave of absence of medical students opposing flawed medical policies," and "We also express regret over the Ministry of Education’s unjust on-site audit and strict disciplinary measures."
They added, "The Ministry of Education should be a department that supports each university to provide high-quality and proper education, not one that forces them to provide sloppy and inadequate education. It is common sense to audit and discipline universities that promote students without completing the curriculum, but auditing a medical school that follows common sense is unacceptable," they criticized.
They continued, "We hope that Seoul National University College of Medicine’s correct decision will spread to medical schools nationwide," and demanded, "The Ministry of Education must immediately cancel its threatening measures."
Seoul National University College of Medicine approved the first semester leave of absence applications from medical students collectively on the 30th of last month. The Ministry of Education responded strongly and began an immediate audit from the afternoon of the same day.
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