[Interview with Medical Association President Candidate] ④ Kim Taek-woo, President of the Council of Metropolitan and Provincial Medical Association Presidents, "Nominate Residents as Vice President of the Medical Association"

In Charge of Local Medical Associations and KMA Affairs for 25 Years
"Will Form the Executive Team Based on Ability, Breaking from Tradition"
"The Only Solution Is a Complete Suspension of Medical School Admissions Next Year"

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. After the impeachment of former president Lim 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 fourth interview is with Kim Taek-woo, chairman of the Council of Presidents of 16 Metropolitan City and Provincial Medical Associations.

Kim Taek-woo, Chairman of the National Council of Provincial Medical Associations, is expressing his views on the future operation plan of the Medical Association and the escalating medical-government conflict at a clinic in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, on the 3rd. Photo by Choi Tae-won

Chairman Kim Taek-woo is a surgical specialist who graduated from Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine. After the resignation of the executive led by former KMA president Lee Pil-soo in February, he served as the 'Emergency Committee Chairperson to Block Medical School Quota Expansion.' In 2021, he also acted as the 'Emergency Committee Chairperson to Block the Nursing Act,' which was formed to oppose the Nursing Act. Currently, he serves as the chairman of the Gangwon Provincial Medical Association and the chairman of the Council of Presidents of 16 Metropolitan City and Provincial Medical Associations nationwide.

On the afternoon of the 3rd, Asia Economy held an exclusive interview with Chairman Kim at a clinic in Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, to hear his views on the next KMA's management plan and the escalating medical-government conflict.

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

▲ The problems caused by the government's reckless policy to increase medical school quotas in February still show no signs of being resolved. I served as the emergency committee chairperson at the beginning of the crisis, but the Lim Hyun-taek administration came in before the issue was fully settled. I decided to run for president to finish resolving the problem and to establish a sustainable medical system.

- The Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA) maintains that they will not return unless their seven demands are accepted. What is your view on this?

▲ I respect that stance. They are working not only for themselves but also for the proper future of Korean healthcare. They understand well that the current government's policies cannot be a solution to revitalize regional and essential medical services, so I believe they are making the minimum necessary demands to resolve the issues and create a proper medical environment.

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

▲ I have been in extensive discussions with various organizations, including KIRA and the National Association of Medical School Professors, as well as the current emergency committee. However, unifying the medical community cannot be done by a single professional group alone; the KMA must take the lead. Since February, I have continued dialogues, though I could not engage publicly. Currently, residents, medical students, and professors are united within the emergency committee. I plan to carry forward the unity achieved there.

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

▲ The normalization of the medical system, which is being damaged by excessive government intervention. The current government's policies cannot be implemented without massive financial input and medical fee increases. Consequently, an increase in health insurance premiums is inevitable. However, the government has not properly fulfilled its national treasury support for health insurance for years and does not inform the public how long this medical system can be sustained by taxes.

The KMA's Medical Policy Research Institute continuously publishes high-quality research based on evidence. I intend to allocate more budget here to enhance the status of the expert organization. Also, institutions like the Korea Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation and the Training Environment Evaluation Committee are currently influenced by the president or the Ministry of Health and Welfare. I want the KMA to manage related policies to ensure their independence without external pressure.

The current KMA structure makes it difficult for medical students and young doctors to have their voices heard. I will encourage residents' participation in KMA affairs. If necessary, I will discuss amending the bylaws to grant associate membership status to medical students.

- I heard you have consistently interacted with resigned residents.

▲ I understand well the disappointment young doctors have felt toward the government and senior doctors over the past few years. Trust is essential for cooperation. I maintained communication with residents as the emergency committee chairperson at the beginning of the crisis. Even after the committee ended, I have continued to build trust through various interactions with residents. At the Gangwon Provincial Medical Association level, we have implemented emergency livelihood support, one job per workplace support projects, and mentor-mentee matching programs. Follow-up projects include observer programs, clinical symposiums, and live seminar programs.

My own son also worked as a resident and recently resigned. Through him, I listen sincerely to the thoughts of young doctors and approach this crisis with genuine commitment. I believe cooperation with KIRA will be smooth. I will discuss with young doctors what roles the KMA can play.

- How will you position the KMA toward the government if you become president?

▲ We must observe the government's response and sincerity regarding the demands made by the medical community. If formal meetings like the ruling-opposition medical-government council continue without substance, the firm stance will not change. There is no reason to attend meetings that are just 'we won't change, but we'll listen for now.'

- Do you think there is a deadline to resolve the medical crisis?

▲ There have been several deadlines in this crisis. After the policy announcement in early February, when medical students took leaves of absence and residents resigned, the government should have stopped and listened instead of suppressing them. When universities said education was impossible, they should have stopped as well. Each time a deadline passed, irreparable problems accumulated. The government will have to take responsibility for this in the future.

- The college entrance exam has been taken, and early admission results are out. What is your view on the possibility of adjusting next year's quota increase?

▲ Before considering possibilities, I believe the only way to solve the problem is to completely halt medical school admissions for the 2025 academic year. It is obvious, but if things continue as they are, we must keep saying education is impossible. We have repeated this since February, but it is a truly critical issue. If it continues, it will become irreversible. By then, those responsible will no longer be around. Ultimately, the confusion will affect not only the medical community but the entire nation, causing enormous damage.

- What do you think is the most important capability for the next president?

▲ Communication. The KMA president must embrace all generations and professional groups. For the first time in KMA history, I plan to appoint a resident as vice president. If they need channels to voice their opinions, I will provide sufficient positions. We also appoint lawyers as legislative directors. There is no reason not to appoint medical students as directors. Of course, they need vision and ability suitable for executive directors, but today's medical students are remarkably capable. They are willing to be appointed as directors. Residents, too, will be appointed based on ability rather than by convention, whether as vice presidents or other necessary positions. I will form and operate a compact and efficient organization focused on problem-solving.

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

▲ My strength is abundant experience. After completing military service as a military doctor in Gangwon Province, I have been involved in local medical association and KMA affairs for 25 years. I have fostered cooperation with local businesses for the development of the local medical association and worked hard for members' rights through smooth communication with authorities. I believe those supporting me in this election trust me for these reasons.

My weakness is that some say I am too affectionate. However, I interpret this as understanding and consideration of others' positions, and I want to maintain this warmth.

- Any final words?

▲ The future of current residents and medical students will be very different from that of the older generation of doctors. I always feel sorry for those going through difficult times. The crisis is prolonged, and consecutive presidential elections may cause fatigue among members, but a high voter turnout will be a measure of members' unity. I ask for your active participation in voting.