Petition Against Special Privileges for Medical Students and Residents Returns, 33,000 People Agree

A petition opposing the granting of special privileges during the return process of medical students and residents who left their schools and training hospitals in protest of the increase in medical school quotas has received over 33,000 agreements from the public.

According to the National Assembly's electronic petition website on the 21st, as of 1 PM on the same day, 33,130 people expressed their consent to the post titled "Opposition to Special Privileges for Medical Students and Residents," which was registered on the 17th.

The petitioner pointed out the seriousness of the situation, stating, "There are actual gaps in key medical settings such as emergency rooms and operating rooms due to the absence of residents, and these impacts are directly affecting patients and their families."

Moreover, they emphasized that "the public wants doctors they can trust with their lives," and warned that if such collective shirking of responsibility and return without accountability continues, the trust of the public in the medical community will inevitably be undermined.

Concerns About Inequity and Trust Issues Regarding Medical Return Privileges

The petitioner criticized the attitude of medical students and residents who, after rejecting their education and training, expect privileges upon their return, claiming that this behavior goes against principles of equity and deepens national feelings of deprivation. They particularly expressed concern that "if privileges are granted without any mention of apology or compensation for damages, it will inevitably evoke serious rejection from the public."

They also emphasized that this incident could set a precedent for flawed medical policies.

The petitioner warned, "If those who stopped their education and training due to extreme collective actions are allowed to return without any responsibility, similar methods of protest will likely continue."

Call for Principled Response and Protection of Returning Individuals

The petitioner pointed out that there are currently about 150,000 active doctors nationwide, and noted that the number involved in this incident is only in the thousands. They commented that "there may be slight gaps, but the supply will naturally recover within 3 to 4 years."

The need for protection of those who return first was emphasized, too.

The petitioner stated, "If perpetrators and victims are allowed to train together, serious secondary harm could occur to those who have returned," and asserted that "inflicting harm on those who returned first for the public good cannot be justified."

Finally, the petitioner appealed: "The government, educational institutions, and the medical community must handle this based on clear principles and fairness," adding, "Public trust is not built overnight, and it can easily collapse with just one act of favoritism."

Image source: National Assembly electronic petition website, News1