**”Following school regulations like expulsion… No additional government policy considered”**
Medical students protesting the increase in medical school enrollment by collectively taking leaves of absence are facing potential expulsion or academic probation if they do not return by the end of the month. The government, on this occasion, has reiterated its call for students to return, indicating there will be no flexible academic measures or approval of leaves this time.
During a regular briefing on the 24th, Kim Hong-soon, Ministry of Education’s facilitator for medical education support, emphasized, “If students return, the Ministry of Education and universities will dedicate efforts to teach and prepare them well for the training process,” urging students’ return.
Kim firmly stated that, unlike last year, there will be no remedial measures from the government this year. He commented, “I heard that students still believe the government might offer measures such as academic flexibility or approval for taking leaves,” clarifying that last year’s academic flexibility was a measure to accommodate until the students returned.
“This year, it is difficult to offer academic flexibility or approve large-scale leaves,” he added. “Students need to return now for education to proceed. We can no longer adopt separate procedures (for leaves) differently from students of other departments.”
He concluded by stressing, “Delaying further will make education difficult, so it’s imperative to return,” stating that curricula have been prepared with medical school deans and associations to ensure the quality of education for students in the 2024 and 2025 academic years.
Regarding the return rates of medical students at universities like Korea University and Yonsei University, Kim did not comment.
Kim stated, “I have not received specific reports on how many have returned,” and emphasized that all academic procedures like expulsion follow internal regulations. “The government does not have any special plans,” he added. However, he did not deny reports that about half of the students have returned.
As for what constitutes ‘full return’—a condition for returning the number of 2026 medical school recruits to the pre-expansion figure of 3,058 students—Kim refrained from elaboration. He explained, “(The medical student return rate) will be assessed as of March 31, and I won’t provide specific responses. There’s difficulty defining ‘all.’ Universities will comprehensively determine when a normal level of classes is possible.”
In response to some medical school professors stating they will not conduct classes if students are expelled or face academic probation, Kim noted, “We have yet to review related measures.”