• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.588-598
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• 2012

The aim of this study is to reflect on the issues of the National Medical Services Law for Korean medicine practitioners (KM practitioners) in Korea, especially those discussed at the Assembly plenary session in 1951. In 1951, the National Assembly wanted to establish the National Medical Services Law (國民醫療法) replacing the colonial medical services law (朝鮮醫療令). Consequently the National Assembly passed the law establishing the license level of KM practitioners equal to that of Western practitioners. But the progress of establishing the law was not easy. There was much dispute over the KM practitioners system amongst the legislators at the Assembly plenary session in 1951. One of the main dispute was about setting the license level of KM practitioners. There were two main positions. One insisted that the license level of KM practitioners should be equal to that of Western practitioners. They had many reasons to support their contended point. From a historical, social, economical, medical and institutional point of view, they argued that the people had needed the KM and thus the new founded Korea had to reflect this situation. The other insisted that the license level of KM practitioners should be below that of Western practitioners. The reason was mainly that the KM was not scientific. This study concludes that the argument of the former was superior to the latter in quantity and quality.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.112-121
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• 2010

Objectives: The aim of this study was to reflect upon the process of the legislation of the National Medical Services Law for traditional Korean medicine practitioners (TKM practitioners), especially at the Assembly plenary session of 1951. Methods: Various primary sources related to the legislation were examined, especially those in National Assembly Records and newspapers. Results: In 1950, the National Assembly wanted to establish the National Medical Services Law (國民醫療法) replacing the colonial medical services law (朝鮮醫療令), but it ended in failure. So in 1951, the National Assembly tried again. First, legislator Han Gukwon (韓國源), with 83 other legislators, introduced a bill for the new national health care system. The Society and Health (社會保健委員會) and the Legislation and Judiciary subcommittees (法制司法委員會) deliberated on this bill, and each proposed an amendment to the National Assembly. In the process of careful deliberation of these three proposals, the Ministry of Health and legislator Kim Ikgi (金翼基) each came up with a further amendment. Ultimately, Kim Ikgi's amendment was accepted by the National Assembly. According to his proposal, TKM practitioners were titled 'Hanuisa (漢醫師)', and the medical office name of TKM practitioners became 'Hanuiwon (漢醫院)'. Conclusions: The National Medical Services Law passed in 1951 was the beginning of the unique dual national medical license system of Korea. It recognized Western medicine and TKM practitioners equally under the national license system.