• 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.