On July 28, the same day that representatives of medical interns offered a formal apology to a patients’ group, medical school professors nationwide asserted that the government, National Assembly, and university presidents should be the ones issuing responsible apologies to the public and the medical community.

The National Council of Medical School Professors stated in a press release, “The root of the ongoing medical conflict lies in the Yoon Suk Yeol administration’s unilateral push to increase medical school enrollment quotas.” The council added, “University presidents, politicians, and the National Assembly, who either supported or remained silent during this process, must present a sincere apology and propose measures to prevent recurrence.”

The statement further emphasized, “Demanding repeated apologies or written pledges from medical students and intern doctors, who have been lawfully raising legitimate concerns, is unreasonable.” The council stressed, “They too are citizens who deserve protection.”

Earlier on the same day, Han Seongjon, acting chairperson of the Korea Intern Resident Association, visited the Korean Alliance of Patients Organization, stating, “We apologize for causing distress to the public due to the prolonged dispute between healthcare professionals and the government.” He acknowledged the medical community’s share of responsibility in the ongoing crisis.

The council countered claims that the government’s actions to allow returning medical students constituted a ‘privilege,’ arguing instead that such measures represent a “return to normalcy.” They explained, “These steps are responsible efforts to restore continuity of education and professional training, which ultimately form the foundation for patient safety and public health.” The council also maintained that given the unique structure of medical education, facilitating returns was the minimum required and not a form of favoritism.

The Seoul Medical Association echoed this sentiment, welcoming the Ministry of Education’s focus on restoring education over granting privileges. They stated, “The return of medical students and interns is both a recovery measure for the normalization of healthcare and a hard-earned compromise.”

Additionally, they called for fair and flexible opportunities for students on academic leave and interns whose training had been deferred to return to their programs.

Both the National Council of Medical School Professors and the Seoul Medical Association urged the government, policymakers, and educational authorities to take responsible measures to restore the continuity of medical education and training as well as rebuild trust.

Note “This article was translated from the original Korean version using AI assistance, and subsequently edited by a native-speaking journalist.”

Photo=Yonhap News Agency