"Son Wants to Drop Out of Medical School vs. Father Says 'Absolutely Not'... Conflict Sparked by 'Blind Pursuit of Medical School'"

Medical Student Has Major Dispute with Father Over Withdrawal... Leads to Assault Report
Dropouts from Medical and Pharmacy Schools Surpass 1,000... Highest on Record
Experts: "Admissions Ignoring Aptitude and Interest Lead to Family Conflict and Maladjustment"

On December 7, Yonhap News reported that conflicts between parents and children over so-called "blind pursuit of medical school admission" have become a reality.

According to the report, a police station in Seoul recently received a call from a medical student in their twenties, referred to as A, who claimed, "I was assaulted by my father." When the police arrived, A was in a heated argument with his father. A had submitted a withdrawal letter to leave medical school and change his career path, but the conflict escalated due to his father's opposition to this decision.

Medical students are moving on campus (photo for illustrative purposes and unrelated to the article content).

A submitted a recorded file of his conversation with his father to the police, alleging evidence of violence. However, the on-site investigation did not confirm any verbal abuse or physical violence. The police calmed both parties and closed the case. The father, who is also a physician, stated that he wanted to persuade his son before he finalized his decision to drop out.

Education experts analyze this case as a reflection of the recent trend among young people of pursuing medical school without considering personal interests or aptitudes. Many students set their sights on medical school not based on their own aptitudes or interests, but rather due to social pressure and parental expectations. In particular, experts point out that the recent expansion of medical school admissions over the past two years has further accelerated this trend.

Statistics also show a significant increase in dropout cases from medical and related professional colleges. According to an analysis by Jongro Academy using data from the University Information Disclosure System, the number of students who dropped out of medical, dental, oriental medicine, and pharmacy schools in 2024 reached 1,004, the highest on record. By field, there were 398 dropouts from pharmacy schools, 386 from medical schools, 138 from oriental medicine schools, and 82 from dental schools. Notably, universities in Seoul saw the highest number of dropouts, and among the five major medical schools in Seoul (Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Sungkyunkwan University, Catholic University, and Ulsan University), 16 students dropped out last year, marking the highest figure in the past five years.

Experts point out that the medical school craze, which prioritizes stable career choices over students' aptitudes and interests, leads to maladjustment and family conflicts.

Lim Seongho, CEO of Jongro Academy, stated, "As the social perception that entering medical school is an unconditionally successful path becomes stronger, children from families of doctors especially experience career-related pressure across generations," adding, "In such an environment, conflicts in the career decision-making process are inevitable."