[2024 National Audit] Former Resident Doctor Called to the Hearing, "5-Year Medical School Program Is an Insult"

Im Jin-su, Planning Director of the Korean Medical Association, "Skeptical about Medical Community's Participation in Dialogue"

An executive of a medical organization, who is a former resident at Sajik, criticized the Ministry of Education's plan to shorten the medical school curriculum as an "insult to doctors' professionalism."

[Photo by National Assembly Broadcasting screen]

On the 8th, at the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee's audit, Lim Jin-su, Planning Director of the Korea Medical Association, responded to a question from Kang Sun-woo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, about the possibility of residents returning by saying, "If the residents who resigned from Sajik feel respected as specialists when they become specialists, feel a sense of fulfillment in practicing medicine with conviction, and find meaning in living as doctors, they will return without being told to do so." However, he added, "Looking at the current situation, I am skeptical. It seems difficult."

He continued, "I don't know how persuasive it can be to say 'let's talk' by joining the discussion body while the government is blocking attempts to engage in dialogue with the medical community internally."

Director Lim also strongly criticized, "The government's measure that has come out now, which is a '5-year medical school system,' is deplorable," calling it "a breach of duty by the Minister of Education."

He said, "Dental, pharmacy, and veterinary schools all have 6-year programs, so the statement that doctors will be trained in just 5 years was astonishing," adding, "The government's solution, which has come out only now, of a 5-year medical school is a tremendous insult to doctors' professionalism."

He further stated, "I cannot believe that a government of a country can engage in a power struggle against its people. I wanted to believe the apology from the Minister of Health and Welfare, who expressed regret for the first time, but after hearing that a senior official from the Presidential Office said it was nothing more or less than a pity and an apology, I gave up."

Lim, who worked as a surgical resident, resigned in February in protest against the government's policy to increase medical school admissions. He also participated as a secretary in the 'Special Committee for Proper Medical Care,' which was launched to seek dialogue between the medical community and the government. Recently, his name was included on a controversial doctor blacklist that was circulated.

Regarding the circulation of the doctor blacklist, Lim said, "I had no acquaintance with the doctor who created the list before this incident. If it were not for this incident, I would never have had a bad connection with him," and added, "The government that caused this situation should be held accountable."