Medical Groups and Medical School Professors Urge Society to Support Medical Students' Return

16 Metropolitan Medical Associations: "Institutional Protection and Consideration Needed"
KIRA: "System Improvements Required to Guarantee Educational Opportunities for Residents"

Medical organizations and medical school professors have all welcomed the decision by medical students to return to their studies, urging society as a whole to support a smooth transition back to school for the students.

The Council of Presidents of Medical Associations of 16 Metropolitan Cities and Provinces issued a statement on the 13th, saying, "We fully support the decision of the medical students to return," and added, "We believe this decision is a responsible action for the future of public health and medicine, as well as a courageous judgment made after deep deliberation."

The council stated, "What is now needed is institutional protection and consideration for the returning students," and insisted, "Comprehensive measures must be put in place, including adjustments to academic schedules so students can focus on their studies, the design of training programs, and guarantees for emotional stability and rights."

The council also proposed, "Society as a whole must come together to ensure that these students return in an atmosphere of respect and welcome, rather than anxiety and isolation," and suggested, "A practical consultative body between medical professionals and the government must be established to ensure that the opinions of medical experts are reflected in the formulation and revision of medical policies, so that a medical crisis never occurs again."

Medical school professors have promised to do their utmost to help students continue their studies faithfully. The National Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors said in a statement welcoming the students' return, "After a long wait, we will warmly welcome the students as they return to the classroom."

They also said, "It is now time for the current administration, the National Assembly, and the medical community to come together to develop practical and sustainable solutions," and added, "We strongly agree with the National Assembly's recommendations to the President and the government regarding the normalization of education and the establishment of a continuous consultative structure."

Another professors' group, the National Council of Medical School Professors (Medical Professors Council), issued a joint statement with the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA), pledging to work for public health based on mutual trust and respect between teachers and students.

The Medical Professors Council and KIRA said, "At a meeting held the previous day, we shared a deep sense of crisis about the current situation facing the medical system, including the disruption of training and education," and added, "We have agreed to work together to resolve the situation as quickly as possible and to provide high-quality medical care to protect public health."

They further stated, "We reached a consensus on the need to improve various systems and policies to ensure continuity in the training process and to guarantee optimal educational opportunities for residents," and added, "We also recognized that special administrative and financial support from the government is necessary for resident training, and that active support from the public is needed for this."