Over 37,000 Sign Petition Opposing Special Privileges for Returning Medical Students

"It Could Set a Negative Precedent in Medical Policy"

As medical students and residents who left their schools and training hospitals due to conflicts between the government and medical associations are now moving to return, more than 37,000 people have agreed with a national petition arguing that these individuals should not be given any special privileges.

According to the National Assembly Electronic Petition Website on July 21, as of 7 p.m. on this day, more than 37,800 people had agreed with a petition titled "Opposition to Granting Special Privileges for the Return of Medical Students and Residents," which was posted on July 17.

National Assembly Electronic Petition Website

The petitioner stated, "Recently, there have been moves to discuss or already allow special measures such as reinstatement and return for medical students and residents in relation to the ongoing conflict between the government and the medical community," adding, "As a member of the public, I express deep concern."

The petitioner continued, "Due to the absence of residents, there are real gaps in major medical sites such as emergency rooms and operating rooms, and these harms are being directly borne by patients and their families. In particular, critically ill patients, emergency patients, and expectant mothers are facing life-threatening situations." The petitioner further pointed out, "The public wants doctors in whom they can trust their lives. However, if collective abdication of responsibility and repeated returns without any real accountability continue, public trust in the entire medical community will inevitably collapse."

The petitioner also argued, "This could set a negative precedent in medical policy. If those who have halted their education and training through such extreme collective action are allowed to return without any accountability, similar resistance will recur. This would seriously undermine the consistency and public nature of medical policy."

The petitioner went on to say, "Some claim that the number of doctors could decrease if no special privileges are given. However, there are currently about 150,000 doctors practicing nationwide, and only a few thousand are involved in this situation." The petitioner added, "Most residents and medical students are unlikely to give up their medical careers even without special privileges. While there may be a temporary gap in the short term, the supply and demand will naturally recover within three to four years."

Additionally, the petitioner earnestly requested, "I strongly urge the government, educational institutions, and the medical community to handle this issue based on clear principles and fairness, not on emotional public opinion." The petitioner warned, "Public trust is not built overnight, and it can easily be destroyed by a single act of favoritism."