Professor Lee Kook-jong delivered a critical speech during a lecture for military doctors in Goesan, North Chungcheong Province, on the 14th.
On the same day, an online community featured a post titled ‘Professor Lee Kook-jong’s Lecture to Military Doctors.’ In the lecture, Professor Lee explained his attendance, saying, “I didn’t want to come here. I have nothing to say to my juniors because I feel sorry for them… But the principal visited the hospital to ask me to do it, and since I’m also employed by the Ministry of National Defense, I accepted.”
According to the post’s author, Mr. A, Professor Lee continued with his unabashed remarks about the Korean medical community. He reportedly said, “The Korean Peninsula is a place where people who only talk get things done. This is the DNA of the Korean Peninsula that has continued for thousands of years, and it won’t change. If you don’t like the temple, the monk should leave,” citing historical conflicts like the Imjin War and Byeongja Horan.
He further stated, “The sons and daughters of Korea don’t understand words,” adding, “If you don’t want to live your life being harassed by Seoul University, Severance ‘elderly doctors,’ and government officials, then don’t pursue critical care or trauma surgery.” Mr. A claimed that Professor Lee even shared examples of colleagues quitting trauma surgery during his active years.
Professor Lee also mentioned the late Professor Yoon Han-duk, who died from overwork. “He worked relentlessly in trauma surgery all his life, but nothing changed. My life is ruined. Professor Yoon, who worked in trauma surgery with me, died from overwork. Don’t end up like him,” he said.
He shared news of a military doctor passing the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination), saying, “I converted a basement storage at the Military Medical Hospital in Daejeon into a study room, where a psychiatry military doctor passed the first part of the USMLE. I was so proud that I even put up a banner. There’s no hope in Korea; if you don’t like it here, leave like the saying, ‘If you don’t like the temple, leave.'”
Professor Lee reportedly did not shy away from making remarks that could have made military personnel uncomfortable. Mr. A wrote, “He mocked the soldiers in front of him, talking about the military’s main project, AI drone warrior platforms of the Fourth Industrial Revolution era.”
He also addressed the conflict between doctors, admitting, “Yes, professors are middlemen exploiters. I thought there would be a big fight between returning doctors and new recruits, but everyone is nice. They seem to be joking about calling them ‘tangerines’ (a derogatory term for returning doctors), which is cute.”
Mr. A reported that Professor Lee criticized the current medical system, saying, “When large hospitals like Seoul National University Hospital and Severance put glass walls and escalators, patients come for consultations. When these large hospitals ask for money and health insurance reimbursements go up, don’t they treat that as nonsense?”
Nettizens, upon seeing this, responded with comments like, “A person who worked at the forefront of essential healthcare all his life is telling us that anyone entering essential healthcare is doomed.” “It’s understandable if it comes from Lee Kook-jong.” “If you sacrifice for the country on the Korean Peninsula, you are punished.”