The World Medical Association (WMA) has issued a statement calling on the Korean government to discontinue coercive measures against the medical community.

However, the Ministry of Health and Welfare countered that the WMA represents the one-sided views of the Korean Medical Association (KMA).

"The World Medical Association reaffirms its commitment to defending the integrity of the KMA and the rights of its physicians in the face of an unprecedented government-led crisis,” according to the statement issued last Friday, local time.

The global group of physicians pointed out that the Korean government's unilateral decision to drastically increase medical school admissions, implemented without clear evidence, has led to turmoil in the medical community, the statement said, adding that WMA has been closely monitoring the situation in Korea, receiving constant updates.

"The right to collective action is universal, and guidelines are in place to ensure patient safety remains paramount during any collection action taken by physicians,” the association noted. “Actions taken by the government are ignoring the harsh reality of medical interns and residents, facing constant burnout due to long working hours, low salaries, and negative portrayals in the media led by misinformation.”

Physicians, including medical students and young doctors, are peacefully practicing their rights within the boundaries of democratic law and constitution, WMA went on to say. The group added that the government's attempts to prevent personal resignations and restrict conditions of school admissions are viewed as potential human rights violations, setting a dangerous precedent in the country.

WMA President Lujain Alqodmani said, "I strongly urge the Korean government to reconsider its actions and cease the forceful measures imposed on the medical community. The principles of justice, human rights, and ethical healthcare demand a collaborative approach. A resolution should respect the rights of physicians and ensure the well-being of medical professionals and the patients they serve."

As the WMA statement was publicized through media reports in Korea, the Ministry of Health and Welfare rebutted it by ensuring a news release.

"The World Medical Association’s position paper on March 1 represented the unilateral views of the Korean Medical Association, and the citation that it was a 'unilateral decision of the government implemented without a clear basis' is not true," the ministry said.

The ministry explained that the government has fully communicated with the medical community more than 130 times and calculated the size of the increase based on the long-term medical supply forecast for 2035 and the demand of 40 medical schools.

It emphasized that the government's action regarding the collective action of doctors is a legitimate measure in accordance with Article 59 of the Medical Service Act and is being carried out in accordance with due process, including issuing a public notice of the commencement of work order.

"For your reference, the Guidelines for Collective Action by Doctors, adopted by the Korean Medical Association in 2012 and revised in 2022, recommends that doctors engaging in collective action should comply with their ethical obligations to patients and act to minimize harm to the public during the collective action," the ministry pointed out.

Founded in 1947, WMA is an international organization established to represent physicians' interests and medical ethics worldwide. It is comprised of medical associations and individual physician members from more than 100 countries worldwide, representing physicians in each member country.

WMA develops international standards on medical ethics, human rights, and health policy, including the Helsinki Declaration, provides policy recommendations on international health issues, and speaks out on global issues affecting the medical profession and public health.