By the 21st… Extension of Audit Deadline by 6 Days from the Original Deadline,
Seoul National University College of Medicine ©Yonhap News
“The Ministry of Education has extended the audit period for Seoul National University, which approved the leave of absence for around 780 medical school students, until the 21st,” said Ko Yon-hee, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Education, at a regular briefing at the Government Sejong Complex on the 14th. Originally scheduled to end on the 11th, the audit deadline has been extended until the 21st, a six-day extension based on weekdays.
Previously, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho responded during a parliamentary audit on the 8th that he would discuss all matters, including the audit of Seoul National University College of Medicine.
In response, the Ministry of Education clarified that withdrawing the audit of Seoul National University does not indicate a firm decision. The spokesperson stated, “The most important thing is the return of the students, so discussions will be held with Seoul National University on all matters. It means opening dialogue regarding the return of the students.”
Seoul National University College of Medicine approved the leave of absence for around 780 medical students on September 30 under the authority of the dean, unlike other universities where the power to approve leave of absence lies with the faculty. This approval of leave of absence is interpreted as being in accordance with the wishes of the professors to prevent a mass suspension of classes.
The Ministry of Education expressed regret over Seoul National University College of Medicine’s failure to cooperate with the request to deny mass leave of absence and dispatched an audit team to Seoul National University on the 2nd, two days after approving the leave of absence.
Meanwhile, on the 6th, the Ministry of Education presented an emergency measure for the normalization of medical school affairs, which approves leave of absence for this year on the condition that medical students would return in the first semester of next year.