Representatives of medical students from Yonsei University, Sungkyunkwan University, Catholic University, Ulsan University, and Korea University, which host the so-called "Big 5" hospitals, stated that they will continue their struggle regarding the government's medical school expansion policy. However, Seoul National University medical students participated in classes.
The student representatives from the five medical schools, including Yonsei University, Sungkyunkwan University, Catholic University, Ulsan University, and Korea University, issued a joint statement on the 9th, stating that they "respect the struggle direction of the Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Medical Graduate Schools Student Association and will continue to fight."
In the statement, they noted, "Our determination to fight remains unwavering," and added, "Due to the government's deliberate delay tactics, the disruption of education across medical schools is becoming prolonged, and a decline in the quality of healthcare is anticipated in the future." They further questioned who is responsible for the disruption in medical education and healthcare, when and to whom the resolution began, and whether the quality of healthcare can be maintained, but stated they did not receive answers. "Therefore, we clearly declare our united position," they said.
New students from Ajou University School of Medicine posted a statement titled "Ajou University School of Medicine Class of 2025 Student Collective Statement" on the social media account of the Ajou University School of Medicine Emergency Response Committee at midnight, declaring their intention to refuse classes this semester.
However, among the "Big 5," students from Seoul National University gathered internal opinions through participation in classes, and it has been reported that first- and second-year students of the college also took the first exam.
Many medical schools plan to send or have sent warning notices to students who did not attend classes after passing the quarter mark of attendance days for the first semester of the 2025 academic year. The government plans to announce the number of medical school admissions for the 2026 academic year based on medical students' class participation status, but no specific date has been set yet.