Hello, I'm Kim Kyung-yeol. Since the medical crisis, there has been a lot of news about the increasing cases of doctors seeking employment abroad. Today, we have the representative of a leading company in overseas employment for medical professionals, Dr. Duck, with us to share insights. Good afternoon, Dr. Duck.

Hello. As I briefly mentioned, there might be many people who are not familiar with your company, so could you please give a brief introduction about it?

Our company is a platform enterprise for the overseas expansion of South Korean medical professionals. We focus on exporting South Korea's excellent medical talent to international markets.

I understand that you are a specialist in internal medicine. I'm curious about how you came to establish a company related to overseas employment. 

In the past, I served as the public relations director of the Korean Medical Association. As part of that role, I naturally took on the position of editor for the association's newspaper.

It is possible, but if there are any sensitive columns or strange advertisements, the editing team should contact me. However, at some point, the interest in entering the medical field has been gradually increasing. There are people, often referred to as scammers, who have realized that this interest is rising. For example, to become a doctor in Vietnam, one must meet 14 criteria. One of these criteria is passing an English test, and some people are charging a lot of money to act as proxies for this exam, making it seem as if passing this test is the only requirement to practice medicine in Vietnam. I thought to myself, Wow, these guys are something else. I felt that if this continued, it would lead to serious problems.

At that time, we started with the idea of creating a space where colleagues could share information related to overseas medical advancement. Yes, I saw last week that the Japan Medical Corporation, hosted by the doctor, held a briefing for the Dock Shukai Group, which was fully booked and successfully conducted. This indicates that doctors are very interested in overseas expansion. In fact, the employment of medical professionals has increased significantly compared to before. The so-called medical crisis occurred in February of this year, and since then, medical professionals have been preparing, so we cannot accurately assess the current demand. However, regardless of this medical crisis, there are many capable medical professionals in our country. Just because one is a Korean doctor doesn't mean they should only eat doenjang-jjigae and kimchi jjigae. Ultimately, our medical professionals exist for the sake of the patients.

There are many overseas patients, and among them, there are those in very difficult situations. Because of this, the number of doctors dreaming of helping patients abroad has been gradually increasing over the past few years. This could be in Africa, the United States, or Japan. However, with the recent medical crisis, people have been given time to consider other options in their lives. It seems that many are seeking new paths during this time. Unfortunately, the media tends to portray these situations negatively, linking them only to the current crisis. Ultimately, these doctors genuinely care about their patients and wish to provide quality medical care. Therefore, we...

Many people are cheering for us, and we are trying to create spaces where those individuals can actually participate. So, in my observation, not only during this recent situation but also for several years now, the number of doctors going abroad has been steadily increasing. For example, one of the doctors we know went to Dubai about four years ago and has just returned. Additionally, I have a friend who is a doctor and is currently going to Singapore. It seems that this trend has been ongoing, but this recent situation has sparked even more interest among people. Yes, that's right. However, when Korean doctors seek employment abroad, we usually think of places like the United States or similar countries, rather than places like Dubai.

It seems that many people are also traveling to countries like Singapore. Generally, which countries are people visiting these days? That's right. First, we can divide the countries into two categories: those where you need to obtain a new medical license, meaning you have to take the exam again to get a new medical license, and most developed countries fall into this category. On the other hand, there are countries that recognize the Korean medical license as it is. For example, countries like the United States, Japan, Australia, and the United Kingdom require you to take an exam. Regarding investments, there is a significant demand for healthcare professionals in the GCC region, and there are many countries that have the financial capability to pay for such services. It seems that the opportunities for Korean medical professionals are gradually increasing in those countries.

Recently, the United States and Canada are gradually opening their doors, and Australia is similar; yes, it's becoming much broader. However, in the case of the United States and such countries, doctors often go for training and are well-informed about it. But as you mentioned earlier, regions like Southeast Asia or the Middle East are not as well known, although there are people who do go there. About four or five years ago, I received an email suggesting that if I was considering working near Abu Dhabi, I should apply. So, I think it would be good if you could explain a bit more about that area. Well, I can't explain in detail, but I believe there need to be events that break the ice. For example, I went to the Sheikh Khalifa Specialty Hospital in the United Arab Emirates.

Yes, many Korean doctors, especially those from Seoul National University, have gone to the Middle East. They have seen the United Arab Emirates and various countries, realizing that this is not just a place of death, nor is it an unlivable area. It is quite developed and in need of various medical services, and there are opportunities as well. Many have made the decision to move there. 

Furthermore, they are living there now. A friend of mine, who I believe is watching this broadcast, is a doctor named Jeong Yoo. However, his wife and children have become very accustomed to life there, enjoying the international schools. So, they decided to stay for a while while the children study here. It seems that there are indeed many people who are staying there for educational reasons.

Especially now, after more than three years, foreigners can attend international schools in the country. That's true. I recently went to Dubai, and I found the city to be really nice. So, teachers, besides doctors, there are also other healthcare professionals, such as instructors and physical therapists. It seems like many of them are finding jobs these days. From what I saw on YouTube, travel nurses in the U.S. often earn as much as doctors in many cases. What do you think about the current trends regarding these professions? Last year, there was the NCLEX, the nursing exam in the U.S. In the first half of last year, from January to June, the number of applicants exceeded 2,000 from our country alone.

There are more than 2,000 people. Yes, there are over 2,000 people. The Philippines is now in first place, and where was second place? Anyway, our country is ranked third when countries taking the US NCLEX are ranked. So, a lot of people are moving to the United States. Additionally, doctors are increasingly expanding into overseas medical institutions. Naturally, doctors are going, nurses are going, physical therapists are going, and administrative staff are also going. This is the situation now. In fact, the country is currently experiencing a bit of a medical crisis overall. Our country had designated the export of the medical industry as a new growth sector. Yes, our country had shipbuilding and semiconductors, right? But now, the medical industry has been designated and is being nurtured as a new growth sector.

I had experienced it, so many medical institutions were involved, and many healthcare professionals entered the field. Yes, but I heard that two nurse teachers had applied earlier, and they only stayed for six months. So, honestly, I don't see any reason for them not to go. The difference in treatment between here and the United States is just too significant. It's not just about the money, but in a way, I think that evaluating someone based on money can be the most objective way to do it. Because, yes, that's right, it indicates that they really want that. It’s quantified. However, it’s not just about the money. I visited Singapore General Hospital, known as SGH, which is one of the largest public hospitals in Singapore, and I noticed that all the nurses were smiling.

The nurses have really good benefits, and they introduce us to Singapore hospitals with such energy and passion. There was one person who shared a lot about the hospital, and when I asked how many years they had been here, they said it had been 49 years. Oh, 49 years! The nurse who was with me reacted, saying, Wow, if you've been working here for 49 years, that says it all. The culture here is quite different from South Korea, where the phenomenon of taewoom (burnout) is well-known. In contrast, in foreign countries, healthcare professionals seem to have a happier environment to work in, not just in terms of money, but also in the overall atmosphere.

When I interviewed teacher Lee Joo-young, who is in the United States, she mentioned that every time she goes to work at the hospital, she feels happy. This is something that is quite difficult to find among doctors or nurses in Korea, right? So, I think there is a noticeable difference in that regard. The working environment in Korean hospitals seems to illustrate the labor conditions in Korea in a more extreme way, which is why many instructors encourage others to go abroad. It seems that life itself is more comfortable for many people in those situations. Objectively speaking, they continuously assess the mental status of doctors and nurses every month to see if they are experiencing any depression or similar issues. If there are such problems...

To make it easier to talk about, you can knock on the door smartly. It's not easy to discuss those things, so we conduct surveys and have everything well organized. This also applies to areas like child care. So, in your opinion, which country would you recommend as the best or most ideal for Korean doctors or healthcare professionals to work in? I don't think there is a single answer to that. Each person's values are different, and what they like varies as well. Of course, if we consider salary, then the United States or Australia would be options. Australia is also quite good; salaries there are high. Additionally, the private sector in Singapore offers very good income. Overall, the Middle East tends to have high salaries as well. However, when it comes to that...

It seems that the most important thing is whether this style suits me after leaving. And what purpose I had in going there. For example, the part that the teacher mentioned might be somewhat of a fixed idea in our country's medical environment. However, abroad, the medical field has become quite industrialized. In Indonesia, for instance, the salaries of medical professionals are low, and legally, they can register to work in three places simultaneously. Looking at the salaries, they are indeed lower, but Indonesia is known to be growing, and with a large population, there are definitely opportunities available. There may also be risks, but for those who find joy in pursuing these experiences, it can be a good place.

Next, in the United States, there are also good aspects of well-being, and in the UK, people usually start with the public healthcare sector like the NHS. Within that system, there are many individuals who find satisfaction. Alternatively, some go to Abu Dhabi and enjoy a flexible lifestyle, and there are many who are quite satisfied with their lives there. Therefore, it seems really difficult to evaluate which is the best option or who has the best experience. 

Additionally, I would like to mention that when you asked where someone might feel the most satisfaction, there is a hospital in Bangladesh called Koramtolla Hospital. The director there is Dr. Lee Sung-ro, who has previously received the Borin Medical Award. After winning that award, he gave an interview.

I went to Bangladesh to heal patients, but I ended up receiving healing myself. I was very touched when I heard that story. While I was there, I took care of many patients and even established a nursing school, and I'm still doing that now. I believe that everyone has different needs, so I think it's important for individuals to find what they want. 

In the past, medical professionals in our country had a very conventional mindset, focusing on three main paths: opening a clinic, working in a hospital, or becoming a professor. It's true, right? I often explain this using food. Just because you’re in Korea doesn’t mean you have to eat only kimchi stew or soybean paste stew. If you want, you can also enjoy sushi, hamburgers, or pizza. When we expand our options like this, not only can we benefit ourselves, but patients from various countries around the world can also find healing through our advanced medical practices.

Recently, I feel that the status of healthcare in South Korea has definitely risen. However, apart from that, I think Korean medical professionals are gaining significant recognition globally. Right? Representative, do you feel that way? I saw on your Facebook that you've had visitors from Kuwait and Japan recently. Is that something you’ve been noticing?

Yes, I’ve noticed it a lot. In our country, the influence of individual professionals is remarkable, and the system itself requires us to see a high number of patients. That's right. They keep saying that the number of medical professionals per capita is low according to OECD standards, but in South Korea, the number of cases handled per doctor is incredibly high. Foreign doctors have to see a certain number of patients to reach similar levels. So, for example, I used to specialize in gastroenterology.

I attended the European Gastroenterology Society meeting in Austria. I was the only Korean there, representing my alma mater. During the evening, I had a beer with some people from other countries. One person kept talking to me, and I couldn't tell if they were bragging or not. They said they perform about two colonoscopies and around six gastroscopies a day, claiming to do five or six consistently. To me, the numbers sounded quite low, but the way they spoke seemed to indicate they were bragging about it. So, I asked them directly, Are you saying that you do a lot or a little? They replied that they do a lot.

I talked about this, and then I said that after living like this for a year, I will probably be in Barcelona next year. So, I mentioned that our country has great basic skills and craftsmanship. We have many cases that allow us to apply newly developed techniques. In that regard, I really think our country is remarkable. Because we have a lot of labor-intensive cases, we tend to become quite proficient. This is especially true for endoscopy, where the costs are incredibly low compared to foreign countries—it's about one-sixth of what it is abroad. Additionally, since we conduct a lot of MRIs in our imaging departments, Korean radiologists in places like the United States don't even need to take exams.

They recognize the qualifications of specialists. Since they see so many patients, MRI... So, all the doctors agree that seeing many patients naturally improves their skills. Of course, everyone may have different opinions on how to approach patient care. For example, Korean doctors who see 100 patients a day face ethical issues; many people genuinely believe that this is problematic. In some states, it is actually legally prohibited to a large extent. However, if you see a lot of patients and perform many endoscopies, your skills will definitely improve. That’s natural; the more you practice, the better you get. Therefore, I believe that Korean medical professionals would excel in any country. They are very diligent, and that's because they have trained in such environments. So far, the representative has...

Yes, it would be great if you could introduce us a bit about the representative's company.

해외로 떠나는 한국의사들의 현황 feat. 케이닥 조승국 대표

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