[Reporter’s Notebook] Medical Students Must Not Become a 'Violent Group'

"There are still many classmates and seniors who feel intimidated and fearful even though they want to study properly. I feel the same way. Please spread this widely." The reporter recently received this heartfelt message from Student A, a member of the class of 2022 at a medical school in a certain region. He said that he initially opposed the government's medical reform and had been on leave of absence since last year.

Although most medical students returned to school as the government and universities pushed the principle of 'expulsion if not registered,' the atmosphere on campus remains extremely chaotic. Opinions are sharply divided between those who believe that since they have returned, the priority should be to diligently attend classes and follow the academic schedule, and those who think that returning was merely the minimum action to avoid expulsion and that the struggle should continue through methods such as boycotting classes.

The 'majority faction' among them supports continuing the struggle. The results of a self-conducted survey by a specific year group at a metropolitan medical school clearly reflect this mood. Out of 120 students, about 90 voiced support for boycotting classes, while only about 30 said they should attend classes.

The student who contacted the reporter naturally belongs to the 'minority faction.' A said, "I increasingly believe that struggle alone is not the answer, and I have a strong desire to study hard in the learning environment as soon as possible, but I am very worried about being ostracized and stigmatized by my peers."

On medical school campuses, excessive criticism and violent language toward students like A are rampant. For example, in medical student communities, there are continuous mockeries such as "All Gamgyul (a slang term for medical students attending classes) must be eliminated," and threats like "We have compiled a list of students returning to classes and will distribute it later" are widespread.

Posts saying things like "If some policies have been blocked, now it's time to return to the classroom, fulfill your duties as students, and negotiate," or "If you keep holding out, the government will have no choice but to expel some of you. Who will protect them?" are often deleted immediately after being posted due to a flood of reports.

Besides this, the 'attacks' on relatively moderate students, such as invisible pressure and cynical looks, are said to be at a level difficult to fully express in words. Universities have taken measures such as offering online classes to protect students who participate in classes, but these are not sufficient alternatives.

To the students who pressure and criticize their peers who want to attend classes, I want to ask: What have you gained so far through such hardline struggles, division, and stigmatization? Isn't it time to consider that you are being manipulated by the 'adults' obsessed with vested interests and deliberately neglecting the situation?

The past year of extreme confrontation between the medical community and the government has already shown how important the existence and role of medical students?the future leaders of the medical field?are. This means there is no need to appeal to society by tormenting peers through violent methods. Regardless of how the current situation unfolds, medical students must earnestly remember that they gain true significance by fulfilling their duties as medical students.