[Interview with Medical Association President Candidate] ③ Dongwook Lee, President of Gyeonggi Medical Association: "Must Prevent Medical Deterioration through Strong Struggle"

Protests Daily in Front of Presidential Office and Seoul City Hall After Legislative Conflict
"Deadline for Resolving Crisis Has Passed... Must End as Soon as Possible"
"Vote Based on Real Actions, Not Packaged Promises"

Editor's Note

The Korea Medical Association, which had fallen into internal strife amid the prolonged medical crisis, will elect its next president in a by-election scheduled for early January next year. Since the impeachment of former president Im Hyun-taek, the chaotic situation has been managed under an emergency committee chairperson system, but the next KMA president will lead the full-scale medical-government negotiations to resolve the crisis. Asia Economy is conducting a series of interviews with candidates running in the by-election. The third interviewee is Lee Dong-wook, president of the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association.

Lee Dong-wook, President of the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association, is discussing the next operational plan for the Medical Association and his stance on the escalating medical-government conflict at an outdoor protest camp set up near the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the 2nd. Photo by Choi Tae-won

Lee Dong-wook, president of the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association, is an obstetrics and gynecology specialist who graduated from Kyungpook National University College of Medicine. He has been serving as the 34th president of the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association since 2018, leading it for seven years. Since the medical-government conflict began in February this year, he has been protesting for over 120 days near the presidential office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, targeting President Yoon Seok-yeol’s commuting route. Every Saturday, he holds rallies with residents, medical residents, and medical students in front of Seoul City Hall in Jung-gu, Seoul.

On the 2nd, Asia Economy interviewed President Lee at the outdoor protest camp set up by the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association in front of the Yongsan Presidential Office, hearing his plans for the next KMA administration and his stance on the escalating medical-government conflict.

- What made you decide to run for the KMA president election?

▲ From the early stages of the medical-government conflict, I have taken a leading role in the struggle for a year. We have been holding weekly rallies at Daehanmun Square condemning medical corruption, and this Saturday will mark the 53rd rally. The protest targeting President Yoon Seok-yeol’s commuting route in front of the presidential office has reached its 124th day today. It’s not just rallies. We have also proactively provided economic and legal support to resigned medical residents and medical students. Everyone is facing difficulties. With a strong determination to contribute to Korean healthcare during these tough times, I have taken action repeatedly, and I intend to do the same this time.

- Specifically, what kind of support have you provided?

▲ First, economic support. Through a mentor-mentee program, we systematically provide monthly living expenses to thousands of resigned medical residents. While there are similar programs elsewhere, in terms of scale and effectiveness, the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association is practically the only one. Regarding legal support, we have assisted with lawsuits over resignation acceptance, basic labor rights, and issues related to the Stalking Punishment Act whenever controversies arose. We have extended help not only to Gyeonggi-do residents but also to medical residents from other regions who needed assistance. Many of the residents we supported came from places like Seoul and Gangwon-do.

- What goals and pledges will you present if elected president?

▲ Members are very interested in goals and pledges. However, as I mentioned, what matters is the roles and actions candidates have taken so far. Rather than immediately presenting pledges, I hope people will look at the concrete efforts made during the past year amid difficulties. If elected, I will continue to engage in on-site struggles as I have done and strongly support medical residents and students at the KMA level.

- One of the expectations for the next administration is cooperation with resigned medical residents. How do you plan to collaborate?

▲ I will continue as I have done so far. We will expand the mentor-mentee program nationwide and increase legal support. We intend to communicate, respect their wishes, and work together. We persuaded the approximately 26,000 members of the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association to start supporting resigned residents. The protests we hold are the same. Even today, about 30 to 40 resigned residents joined the presidential commuting route protest. The Saturday rallies are entirely planned by the residents.

- The Korean Intern Resident Association (Daejeonhyeop) insists it will not return unless its seven demands are accepted. What is your view on this?

▲ The most difficult and painful parties in this crisis are the medical residents and students because their futures are at stake. Therefore, I respect their opinions the most. If the Korean Intern Resident Association wants to add demands beyond the seven or remove some if they feel certain issues are resolved, we will respect and support their decisions.

- There has been ongoing criticism that the medical community is not united. How do you plan to unify the medical community?

▲ Since the emergency committee was launched, it seems a unified front is being maintained. I believe those who have occasionally voiced individual opinions also want to resolve this crisis. Even if I become president, I do not intend to push my own agenda. Unification is possible through dialogue and persuasion, as with the emergency committee.

- How will you approach the government stance as KMA president?

▲ First, as I have done so far, I will strongly fight to prevent the deterioration of medical care. The government’s one-sided, runaway locomotive approach is problematic the longer it continues. The pain of medical residents and students is immense.

The KMA has never hung a banner on its building visible from Gangbyeonbuk-ro. Our Gyeonggi-do Medical Association has put up about 50 banners around the Yongsan Presidential Office area to inform the public of our stance. At first, even hanging one banner was difficult. I have been hit many times, and some have suffered fractures during clashes with the police. Despite police interference, we set up a protest tent that has been in place for 43 days and is currently in dialogue. I intend to show this kind of determination.

- Do you think there is a deadline for resolving the medical crisis?

▲ The deadline has already passed. Now, every day is a new deadline. The sooner it ends, the less damage there will be. Resigned residents and medical students are despairing and losing their will to practice medicine. It is already too late, and we must quickly resolve this through struggle.

- How far do you think the level of protest should go?

▲ First, I am thinking of expanding the scale. If it is carried out at the KMA level rather than just the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association, the media and public opinion will pay more attention. However, if there is still no improvement, we will keep all options open and consider the next steps in the struggle.

- The college entrance exam has already been held. What is your view on the possibility of adjusting next year’s medical school quotas?

▲ We have no choice but to completely stop admissions. If recruitment proceeds as is, proper education will be impossible. The most important role of medical schools is to train well-educated doctors. Realistically, this is impossible under current conditions, so it cannot be helped. It may sound reckless, but admitting new students next year is even more reckless. It is fastest to act when you think it is too late. The government must make a decision as soon as possible.

- What are your strengths and weaknesses as the next KMA president?

▲ I am a two-term president of the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association. Being re-elected in a direct election with about 26,000 participants is impossible without consistent trust from members. I also established a 'Member Complaint and Grievance Center' in the Gyeonggi-do Medical Association. Doctors usually only receive complaints from patients, public health centers, or the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service. Even if they face unfair or unjust situations, they often do not know well or find it difficult to take action themselves. To solve this, I thought it necessary to have an organization that receives various complaints from members and helps resolve disputes.

My weakness is that I seem to lack communication with medical community figures and have an image of being radical. However, as I said, I do not think this is actually the case.

- Any final words?

▲ KMA members have often said, "Why do KMA presidents change once they become president? We feel deceived." I think this is because they voted based on words, not actions, of the candidates. If you fall for packaged words again, the same will happen. I believe I am the only candidate who can take action. If I become president, I will definitely deliver good results.