Mar 27, 2025
Gyeonghyun Cho
If medical students return to school before the end of March, the South Korean government announced it will reduce the number of medical school slots for 2026 back to 3,058.
Education Minister Lee Ju-ho stated during an emergency briefing on March 7 that if students return, the government will honor the decisions made by university presidents. The number of pupils will remain at the higher level of 5,058 if they do not.
The registration deadlines for many universities are approaching. Most schools have very low enrollments, while some, like Yonsei University, have over half of their students enrolled. While Kyung Hee and Inha universities will finish on March 28, Seoul National University and Busan National University will close registration on March 27.
There is still division among the students. The pressure from the government has angered some people. Others think the authorities won't actually expel them. While some are waiting to see what happens with the president's impeachment, others are afraid of being judged by their peers if they return.
Universities assert that they have the authority to dismiss students who do not return, but doing so may lead to a shortage of new medical professionals. Some students think the government will give in, similar to how medical students were permitted to retake the national exam after refusing to take it in 2020.
Five former Korea University Medical School student leaders recently stated that students ought to be allowed to make their own decisions free from outside pressure or fear.
The government, schools, and students are now waiting to see what happens after the deadline of March 28 for return.