The Korean Medical Association (KMA) proposed a dialogue with President Lee Jae-myung, asking for a speedy resolution of medical issues, including the return of medical students and trainee doctors.

"Please make resolving the current medical crisis a top national priority," KMA President Kim Taek-woo said at a news conference on Thursday, calling for efforts to ensure the return of medical students and junior doctors and work out measures to improve their education and training.

After congratulating President Lee on his inauguration, the nation’s largest group leader said, "Just as President Lee communicated with representatives of the ruling and opposition parties at a luncheon on Wednesday, I hope that the medical community will also be able to communicate with the president."

“We look forward to gathering the best wisdom of the KMA and President Lee to solve the unprecedented medical crisis facing our country," he said.

"I would like to see a realistic and reasonable plan for the return of medical students and trainee doctors, especially those serving in the military or on standby," Kim said. “I also hope the abnormal training environment and inadequate education environment will improve.

Kim also recommended that medical policies be discussed with professional organizations and that the order in which medical personnel start working be "fundamentally revised."

Kim said healthcare policies should reflect the experience and knowledge of medical professionals in the field, not tabletop theories. He added that he hoped the medical association and the government could consider medical policies together based on mutual respect and communication.

"The Korean Medical Association will endeavor to solve the medical crisis with the mindset of 'rebuilding the broken medical care and public trust. We hope President Lee will build a country where everyone lives well together, protects people's lives and safety, and guarantees people's legitimate rights."