Last July, the South Korean government suggested a new policy about the expansion of the medical school and its students. The government insisted that the expansion of the medical school and its students will be a breakthrough in domestic medical services. However, after the policy has announced, a nationwide strike was called by the Korean Medical Association, and this caused controversy.

▲ ˝The problem is not a number, but a post; we oppose the reckless expansion of medical school˝

In fact, with the doctors' strike during COVID-19, this special situation was fatal. Also, with this strike, many innocent patients suffered from a shortage of medical professionals. However, the fundamental fault was at the South Korean government.

First, the South Korean government treats doctors as public goods, but, as a matter of fact, the South Korean government literally did nothing during the process of training the doctors. They study medics in their own property. According to the National Academy of Medicine of Korea, it takes 870 million won to nurture one single doctor. Also, establishing a public medical college has a big problem, too. South Korean government announced that the public medical college's entrance examination system will be enacted by recommendation of civil organization, not an objective evaluation. Is it really fair? With the South Korean government's progressive tendencies and the fact that it was elected from a political party that runs many civic groups, the South Korean government's insistence is still doubtful, very much.

▲ Poster used in July Doctors` strike, by KMA

Of course, the intention of the policy was not bad. The concentration of hospitals and doctors in large cities has caused the gap in medical services by region, which has always emerged as a big social problem. However, this unfair method is not necessary for us to solve these problems more clearly.

▲ Fellow doctors` demonstration in Yeoei-do

The Doctors' strike was fatal; however, with this stubborn and anti-democratic government, their anger is reasonable. South Korean government must have found a new alternative if they really want to overcome the medical service's limit.

September 20th, 2020

By Lee Hyun-seo