National medical schools have a policy to fail medical students if they do not return by the 30th, according to school regulations. The government proposed an official meeting with the student organization to persuade them to return by then, but there has been no response. The association of professors teaching medical students suggested on the 27th to the government to end the special committee on medical reform and to have dialogue within the Commissioner discussion body.
◇If medical students do not return by the 30th, 10,000 students will attend classes next year
The Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Graduate Schools (KAMC), which is a meeting of deans of national medical schools, has a policy to fail medical students if they do not return by the 30th due to insufficient class days. Since medical schools operate on a year-based system, students who are failed this semester will automatically be put on leave next semester.
If this happens, more than 10,000 medical students (classes of '24, '25, '26) will attend classes all at once next year. Even if each university augments teaching staff and secures classrooms, it is expected to be difficult to maintain the quality of medical education. Dong-A University has a policy to allow the class of '26 to register first if the three classes attend classes at the same time. Other medical schools are also reviewing measures.
Previously, the government confirmed a total of 3,058 applicants for the 2026 academic year, with an increase of 0. However, 74% of medical students nationwide are still not participating in classes. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Joo-ho proposed a meeting to the national students' council and to the Korean Medical Student Association (KMSA) on the 24th.
It is reported that medical students believe they must maintain leverage in negotiations until the next government takes office while continuing to refuse classes during the election period. However, there are also reactions suggesting that returning when the government extends a hand is not such a bad idea.
◇The medical community says, “Reactivation of the Commissioner discussion body,” stressing that “restoring trust with the government comes first”
The medical community holds the position that restoring trust with the government is a priority. The Korean Association of Medical College Professors (KAMP) issued a statement that day, stating, “The government should end the special committee on medical reform and reactivate the Commissioner discussion body that allows for rational discussions.”
KAMP emphasized, “Conditions must be created so that medical students and residents can return to their original places and focus on their mission to protect public lives,” adding, “University presidents and deans of medical schools should protect students’ rights to learn and not pressure them in any form.” It also stated, “Health and Welfare Minister Cho Kyu-hong and Vice Minister Park Min-soo, who caused the confusion, should step down or at least sincerely apologize if they cannot.”
Kim Taek-woo, president of the Korean Medical Association (KMA), said at the regular general assembly that day, “It is important to unify the power of the medical community,” adding, “We will secure policy leadership during the election period.” He noted, “We are preparing countermeasures for the establishment of public medical schools and accelerating the preparation of legislation to shorten service periods for military doctors and public health doctors,” insisting, “Restoration of trust with the government must precede the rebuilding of the damaged medical system.” The KMA has decided to grant associate membership status to medical students and to demand a national investigation into the expansion of the medical school quota by 2,000 students.