"Complete Reversal of Medical School Expansion Policy"
Government Demands Presented with 8 Key Points
Ministry of Education "Efforts to Adjust Academic Affairs, Will Prevent Disadvantages"
The Korean Medical School? Association of Medical School Students (Uidaeop) announced on the 25th that it has requested the approval of leave of absence applications from 40 medical schools nationwide and stated that it would not hesitate to file an administrative lawsuit if the requests are not approved.
According to Uidaeop on the day, the association held an extraordinary general meeting on the 23rd and unanimously resolved to present a government demand containing these contents.
Uidaeop pointed out, "It seems to be the effect of the Ministry of Education sending an official letter to all schools on March 11, forcing them not to approve leave of absence applications," adding, "Leave of absence submissions and class boycotts are taking place, and if students are held back due to this, schools will not be able to handle the expanded enrollment in 2025 under this policy."
They continued, "The fact that the submitted leave of absence applications are currently not being approved raises the possibility of future legal disputes over whether the Ministry of Education is abusing its authority."
Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, held a video conference on the 22nd at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, with presidents of 40 medical schools operating medical colleges, urging the normalization of medical school operations after the allocation of medical school quotas. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@
Through their government demands, they called for the complete cancellation of the essential medical policy package and the medical school enrollment expansion policy. They also urged the medical community and the government to each form an equal-numbered council to establish a legislated health care governance system and to fulfill their responsibilities for scientific cause analysis and resolution of current medical issues.
Addressing the government, they said, "Admit responsibility for the current issue caused by hastily pushing medical policies while continuously ignoring the voices from the medical field, conduct a transparent investigation, and apologize to the public."
They also stated, "Recognize the uniqueness and professionalism of medical acts performed in good faith in legal disputes over medical accidents, and introduce a system that sufficiently considers patients' specific conditions and systematic safety management," adding, "Discuss a clear definition of essential medical care, and establish a reasonable fee system and minimum increase rate institutional measures through scientific international comparisons in both quantitative and qualitative dimensions."
Along with this, they demanded institutional improvements to enhance the training environment for interns and residents and to establish legal grounds so that reasons for leave of absence cannot be arbitrarily interpreted.
Regarding medical students' leave of absence applications, the Ministry of Education maintained its existing position during the regular briefing on the morning of the day, stating that students would not suffer disadvantages such as being held back. Shim Min-cheol, Director of Talent Policy Planning at the Ministry of Education, said, "The principle is primarily for students to return and normalize classes," adding, "Universities are making considerable efforts to ensure students do not suffer disadvantages." He further explained that since each university can autonomously adjust academic schedules, it is impossible to predict when students might face the risk of being held back.
Meanwhile, it was understood that no valid leave of absence applications were submitted on the day. The total number of leave applications submitted so far is 9,109, accounting for about 48.5% of enrolled students.
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