SEOUL — During a recent meeting with President Yoon Suk Yeol, renowned philosopher Kim Hyung-suk voiced his concern over the mass resignations of medical professors in South Korea. The 104-year-old professor emeritus of Yonsei University, invited to lunch at the presidential office on Wednesday, addressed the ongoing discord between the Yoon administration and the medical community. According to presidential spokesperson Kim Soo-kyung, their discussion touched upon various policy issues, including the controversial plan to increase medical school admissions next year, which has led to a walkout by junior doctors and subsequent resignations by medical school faculty in solidarity.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Kim Hyung-suk, an author of numerous books and a respected figure in academic circles, expressed his disappointment at the medical professors' decision to resign en masse rather than advising their younger colleagues against the strike. "I'm a professor too, but it's not desirable that medical school professors are collectively following the collective action of trainee doctors by submitting mass resignations, instead of dissuading them," he remarked, highlighting the adverse impact of such actions on the medical community and the broader society.
Furthermore, Kim praised President Yoon's efforts in mending South Korea's relations with Japan and addressing perceived policy failures of the previous administration, including its approach to income-driven growth and nuclear energy. He also conveyed his hopes for Yoon's administration to uphold and expand the principles of liberal democracy in South Korea, especially in the aftermath of the upcoming parliamentary elections.