KMA Agrees with Lee's Remarks... Calls for Normalization of Medical Education to Resolve Medical Crisis

"Welcoming the Nomination of the Minister of Health and Welfare Candidate"
"Policies Must Be Formulated by Reflecting Expert Opinions"

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) expressed its agreement on July 3 with President Lee Jaemyung's remarks emphasizing the need to resolve conflicts between the medical community and the government based on trust and communication. The association urged, "We hope that a forum for resolving the medical crisis will be opened."

Taekwoo Kim, President of the Korean Medical Association. Yonhap News Agency

Taekwoo Kim, President of the KMA, held a regular briefing at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on the afternoon of July 3. He commented on the nomination of a new Minister of Health and Welfare and the appointment of a new Vice Minister, stating, "We consider it significant that a normal channel of communication between the medical community and the government has now been established."

Regarding President Lee's press conference held that morning, Kim said, "The President emphasized that trust and communication are at the heart of problem-solving and stated that the government must create conditions for students and residents to return to their positions. The President shares the same perspective as the association on this issue, and our solutions are not different."

Kim also argued that medical students and residents must be able to continue their studies and training to resolve the current medical crisis. He said, "The current medical field is being maintained through makeshift measures," mentioning the crisis in critical and emergency care as well as the public health physician system. He stressed, "To resolve this situation, the process of training future doctors and specialists must first be normalized."

He continued, "It is necessary to normalize medical education so that medical students can return and resume their studies. Although the burden on each university of having to run two curricula per grade will be significant, I urge medical schools to make the difficult decisions necessary so that students can focus on their studies."

Kim also called for the incorporation of expert opinions in policy-making. He said, "It is a crucial factor to actively reflect the experience and knowledge of experts in the formulation and implementation of policy." He expressed hope that, for the effective resolution of regional healthcare disparities, public healthcare issues, and low birthrate and aging population problems, "the government and the medical community can continue to engage in constructive cooperation and dialogue."

He added, "We hope that the prompt appointment of Minister nominee Jeong Eun-kyung, who has emphasized swift resolution and trust, will open the way for resolving the medical crisis."