Decrease in Medical and Dental School Dropouts by 44 Students
It has been observed that the number of science and technology institute students leaving to pursue medical studies is significantly decreasing even amid the “medical school craze.” The photo shows KAIST students. [Provided by KAIST]
According to materials received by Hwang Jeong-ah, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea on the National Assembly’s Committee on Science, Technology, Information, Broadcasting, and Communications from the four major science and technology institutes (KAIST, UNIST, GIST, DGIST), the number of students who dropped out to attend medical or dental schools decreased by nearly half, from 86 in the 2024 academic year to 44 in the 2025 academic year, marking a 49% decline year-on-year.
This result is contrary to public concerns that increasing medical school admission quotas would exacerbate the trend of avoiding science and engineering fields, coupled with a declining school-age population.
In the case of KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology), 48 students left for medical or dental studies in the 2024 academic year, including four in master’s or doctoral programs. However, in the 2025 academic year, this number fell to 37, with only one being at the master’s level or higher.
At UNIST (Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology), the number of dropouts for medical or dental studies plummeted from 29 in 2024 to 4 in 2025; at GIST (Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology), from 5 to 2; and at DGIST (Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology), from 4 to 1.
Although there is a possibility of more dropouts by the end of February, the current trend suggests a notable decrease in dropouts for medical and dental studies compared to the previous year.
Amidst evaluations that budget cuts in R&D under the Yoon Suk-yeol administration have driven new researchers away from academia and accelerated talent outflow abroad, there is an analysis that the new government’s science and technology policies are reversing this trend.
Hwang Jeong-ah stated, “The pro-science policy stance and talent support policies of the Lee Jae-myung administration are providing positive signals to future scientists,” and added, “As President Lee Jae-myung himself emphasizes science and technology, the overall atmosphere in the scientific community seems to be changing.”
She further emphasized, “We in the National Assembly will take responsibility for restoring the career ladder in science and engineering, such as expanding military service exemptions and support for basic research, and improving the treatment of students and researchers.”
Meanwhile, on the 5th, President Lee Jae-myung invited undergraduate and graduate students selected as “Presidential Science Scholars,” as well as middle and high school students who won at Olympiads, to a gathering, where he reiterated his commitment to supporting the nurturing of science and technology talent.
During the meeting, President Lee mentioned the need to introduce a “national researcher system” and expand military exemptions in the science and technology fields, emphasizing, “A society that invests in science and technology and recognizes scientists is what has a future.” – Reporter Goo Bon-hyuk