Medical Community Welcomes May Resident Recruitment, Vows Close Coordination on Enlistment Deferrals

Korean Academy of Medical Sciences and Others Urge Resigned Residents to Return
"A Turning Point for Restoring the Medical Field"

The medical community has requested the prompt return of resigned residents and promised to make efforts to secure enlistment deferrals for those who have not yet completed their mandatory military service.

On May 20, five organizations?including the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences, the Council of Training Hospitals, the National University Hospital Association, the Korean Association of Private University Hospitals, and the Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Graduate Schools of Medicine (KAMC)?issued a joint statement welcoming the government's decision to conduct an additional round of resident recruitment in May and made the above announcement.

The previous day, the Ministry of Health and Welfare accepted the recommendations of these organizations and decided to allow each training hospital to conduct additional recruitment for resigned residents until the end of this month.

In their statement, the organizations emphasized, "The suspension of resident training is a serious social issue that goes beyond the career interruption of individuals and has a direct impact on public health and the sustainability of the healthcare system." They added, "The special recruitment in May should not be a temporary measure, but rather serve as a critical turning point for restoring the medical workforce training system and recovering the clinical field."

They also stressed their commitment to removing obstacles to the return of residents, such as issues related to military enlistment. The organizations stated, "If residents who have not yet completed their military service return, we will work closely with the relevant authorities to allow them to fulfill their military obligations after completing their training." They continued, "For those who resigned and are currently serving as military doctors or public health doctors, we will do our utmost to ensure they can return to their original training hospitals after completing their military service."

Because resigned residents who left last year are now awaiting enlistment, even if they return, they would have to enlist immediately if they receive a draft notice next year or the year after. The organizations explained that they will coordinate with the Military Manpower Administration and other relevant agencies to prevent such situations. The Ministry of Health and Welfare also explained that, for resigned residents who have already enlisted, it will consider allowing them to return to their previous hospitals after discharge, taking into account future medical workforce and military personnel supply and demand, as well as fairness with those who have already returned.

The organizations further stated, "We will continue to cooperate responsibly to ensure that the government's medical policies are harmonized with the realities of the clinical field." They urged resigned residents, "We ask that you take this opportunity of additional recruitment to return to your training sites as soon as possible and continue your growth and learning at the side of your patients."