The photo is of a medical school in Seoul on the 18th, taken by Kim Jin-a. Lee Ju-ho, the Deputy Prime Minister of Social Affairs and Minister of Education, is scheduled to meet medical school students to discuss measures related to medical education. This is the first official meeting between the Ministry of Education and medical students since the conflict over medical policies emerged about a year ago. The government recently proposed what it called a ‘last card’ by deciding to increase the medical school admissions quota for the 2026 academic year to the pre-augmentation level of 3,058 students. There is growing interest in whether this will prompt students, whose deferment deadlines are approaching, to return to their schools.
According to the Ministry of Education on the 21st, Deputy Minister Lee plans to meet with about 20 medical students through a meeting hosted by the Korean Medical Policy School on the 22nd to encourage their return to classes and discuss ways to normalize medical education. Education Ministry spokeswoman Koo Yeon-hee stated during a regular briefing that the meeting would explore what aid the students may need in returning to classes, what measures the Ministry has regarding ‘doubling’ (for the 2024 and 2025 cohorts), and the challenges the students face, with an exchange of ideas anticipated.
The Korean Medical Policy School is led by former Korean Medical Association spokeswoman Choi Anna and was established by young doctors such as resident doctors who opposed government medical policies to propose alternative medical policies. Students from the policy school, as well as general medical students, are expected to participate in the meeting, although the Korean Medical Student Association, which continues a hardline stance, is reportedly not attending.
Meanwhile, as the deadlines for deferring studies approach, attention is focused on whether students will return. According to the Korean Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC), decisions are being made regarding the deferment status of fourth-year students at universities such as Gachon, Catholic Kwandong, Eulji, Wonkwang, and Inje. Hallym and Hanyang on the 22nd, Catholic University on the 26th, and Kyungpook, Keimyung, and Yeungnam universities on the 28th, among others, are facing decisions regarding student deferments. During a press conference, Chung-Ang University President Park Sang-gu stated that without special contact or class participation by May 2nd, students risk being deferred.
By April 18th, 19 medical schools, including Korea University, Seoul National University, and Yonsei University, had already decided on student deferments. Yonsei University sent deferment notices to 48 fourth-year students refusing to attend classes, while Korea University followed policy by notifying 125 third- and fourth-year students of deferment. Based on school regulations, students who miss more than a quarter or a third of their classes generally face deferment, with repeated deferments potentially leading to expulsion. Without returning this month, regular classes may not commence at most schools. Notably, deferred fourth-year students are ineligible to take the national medical licensing exam as applications only open to graduates and those expected to graduate.
The government originally stated that if students returned by the end of March to enable normal class operations, the medical school admissions quota for the 2026 academic year would be adjusted from 5,058 to 3,058. However, as of April 16th, the average class participation rate at 40 medical schools was merely 25.9%, with bachelor’s program participation at 29% and pre-med at 22.2%, with variations ranging from single-digit participation to 67% at different schools.
The Ministry of Education maintains the stance of observing the return trend until the end of the month. In remarks concerning the return of medical students, the Ministry said more time is needed since not much time has passed since the quota decision, and with schools encouraging student returns, there is confidence in student returns around the deferment deadlines of this month.
Additionally, there remains room for adjustments in the schedule for implementing the college entrance plan for the 2026 academic year. Spokeswoman Koo mentioned legal amendments are necessary for next year’s medical school admissions, with an optimal outcome being the submission of materials to the Korean Council for University Education by April 30th, though timing adjustments might be necessary due to legal concerns.
However, the mandatory standard of a 40% local talent selection, irrespective of the quota, will be maintained. Under the Local College Development Act, non-metropolitan medical schools must select at least 40% (or 20% in Gangwon and Jeju regions) of new students through local talent selection. Spokeswoman Koo indicated they recommend increasing the local talent quota to 60% regardless of quota changes and offer incentives for meeting this recommendation, suggesting surpassing the legal standard of 40% to 60%.