Seoul National University College of Medicine Professors' Harsh Criticism of Residents: "Arrogant"

Four Professors from Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital Issue Statement
"The Real Victims Are Patients and Their Families"
"There Is Public Responsibility Behind the Authority of a Medical License"

Four professors from Seoul National University College of Medicine issued a statement strongly criticizing the residents and medical students who continue their collective actions, saying, "As the situation persists, we are disappointed and despairing of you," condemning their behavior. The professors called for a responsible attitude and reflection, describing the actions of some medical students and residents who criticize their peers attempting to return as "arrogant."

Seoul National University College of Medicine. Yonhap News

On the 17th, Professors Ha Eun-jin, Oh Joo-hwan, Han Se-won, and Kang Hee-kyung from Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital released a statement titled "To Those Who Claim Returning Colleagues Are No Longer Colleagues," stating, "We can no longer remain silent and hide among the silent majority as sympathizers, so we want to share our thoughts."

They said, "Medistaff (an online community for medical professionals), comments on medical-related articles, and Facebook posts by Park Dan (Vice President of the Korean Medical Association) are filled with words lacking responsibility toward patients, respect for colleagues, and dignity as professionals," criticizing, "It would be better if there were some humility, but the attitude of expecting to be treated as experts solely because of a medical license is extremely arrogant." They added, "Reading those posts makes us think, 'I am afraid that if I or my family get sick, we might be treated by these people.'"

They continued, "You have shown courage and wisdom by pointing out the error that increasing medical school admissions by 2,000 is not the solution, but you have spent a year without a roadmap to improve the medical system or any convincing alternatives," sharply criticizing, "There is only tangping (lying down comfortably) and opposition without alternatives."

They asked, "Is what you want to do opposing the government, or improving the healthcare system of the Republic of Korea?" and said, "The current method and goals of the struggle are neither just nor seem capable of persuading society. You must now choose whether to continue supporting this method of struggle or to raise a proper voice, and you must take responsibility for that choice."

The professors also criticized medical students and residents who voluntarily took leaves of absence or resigned and then portrayed themselves as victims, emphasizing, "The true victims are the patients and their families who have been neglected and untreated over the past year." Regarding residents' claims that the training process is "exploitation," they acknowledged, "We agree that the training environment is harsh, but it is an investment of a few years to become a specialist." They questioned, "Just because the residency is difficult, does that mean specialists live the same way afterward? The majority live stable lives with high salaries, don't they?"

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Regarding the phenomenon of criticizing fellow healthcare workers who protect the medical field, they criticized, "Where is the camaraderie among colleagues?" They pointed out, "With an arrogant attitude that 'only doctors can provide medical care,' they do not hesitate to disparage nurses and other healthcare professionals," and added, "Let's be honest. Didn't you learn emergency procedures like emergency treatment and intravenous injections from paramedics and nurses in the emergency room?"

The professors said, "A medical license is a right granted by society to us to perform exclusive medical acts," and explained, "The reason society tolerates this monopoly and accepts its side effects is because it trusts that we will fulfill the responsibility of public service behind the license." They expressed concern, "If doctors fail to fulfill their responsibilities or continue to cause social unrest as a group, society will inevitably delegate that monopoly to other professions."

Finally, they emphasized, "You must choose whether to lead reform as responsible professionals or to continue being labeled as obstructive troublemakers, losing your monopoly rights and becoming obsolete."