Scientific and Rational Unification Proposal Needed for Discussion
Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs, "35% of Medical School Classes Conducted"
"Students Hesitant to Return, Please Come Back to Educational Sites"
The Presidential Office stated on the 8th, "The government has never considered a one-year postponement of the medical school expansion, nor does it plan to consider it in the future." This was a strong rebuttal following reports in some media outlets earlier that day suggesting the government would "internally review" a one-year postponement of the 2,000 medical school student increase.
A senior official from the Presidential Office responded this way when a reporter met with him at the Yongsan Presidential Office in the afternoon and asked about the reports that a one-year postponement of the medical school expansion might be internally reviewed.
The official reiterated the existing stance regarding the possibility of negotiating the scale of the medical school expansion, saying, "We have held multiple consultations with the medical community based on reasonable and scientific grounds for more than a year regarding the increase of 2,000 students." He added, "While the decision remains unchanged, if the medical community presents scientific, reasonable, and unified grounds for adjustment, we are open to discussing it. We intend to approach this with an open mind."
He continued, "There is no set deadline or guideline such as 'if it is not done by a certain time, it cannot be done.' Since this is a voluntary process of gathering opinions, we only hope for prompt submissions, but there is no coercion or behind-the-scenes negotiations taking place," he emphasized.
Denial Issued Amid Confusion Over 'Internal Review' Remarks
Earlier, Park Min-su, Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, said at the 'Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters' briefing on the doctors' collective action, regarding the voices from the medical community demanding a one-year postponement of the medical school expansion, "We will conduct an internal review, but it is difficult at this point to conclusively say whether it will be accepted or not."
Following Park’s statement that "an internal review will be conducted," some interpreted that there might be changes in the timing of the medical school expansion, but the government denied any changes to the expansion schedule.
The government and the Presidential Office have somewhat shifted their stance, stating that they could consider the scale of the medical school expansion if the medical community presents a reasonable and scientific unified plan, but they have maintained that postponement requests are unacceptable.
Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, evaluated during a briefing at the Yongsan Presidential Office that medical school classes, which had faced some disruptions following the government’s announcement of the medical school expansion, are gradually returning to normal.
Jang said, "As of the 4th, out of 40 medical schools nationwide, 12 are conducting classes," and explained, "Chungnam National University, Gachon University, Yeungnam University, and 12 other universities are conducting face-to-face classes in principle, while also combining online classes."
He added, "As of today, the number of medical schools conducting classes has increased to 14, accounting for 35% of the total. From the 15th of next week, Busan National University, Chonnam National University, Konyang University, Dankook University, and others are fully preparing to normalize classes."
"Urgent Resumption of Classes to Minimize Medical Students' Disruption"
According to the Ministry of Education, the 12 medical schools conducting classes are Gachon University, Korea University, Dongguk University branch campus, Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Yeungnam University, Inje University, Jeju National University, Chungnam National University, Chungbuk National University, Hallym University, and Hanyang University.
Jang explained, "Kyungpook National University has 650 medical students, and Jeonbuk National University has 814 students; both are regional key national medical schools," adding, "Kyungpook National University is conducting classes online in a non-face-to-face format, while Jeonbuk National University is conducting face-to-face classes in principle, combined with non-face-to-face classes."
Jang added, "We judged that resuming classes urgently is necessary to minimize the damage to medical students, and as a result of the university headquarters and medical schools working together in unity to counsel and persuade individual students, classes have resumed starting today."
He requested, "I thank the university presidents, medical school deans, and medical professors who are working hard to normalize classes, and as educators, teachers, and senior doctors, I ask them to persuade their students, who are juniors and successors, to continue learning and attend normal classes." To medical students, he earnestly appealed, "As medical professionals responsible for the lives and health of the people, please return promptly to the lecture halls and practice rooms and dedicate yourselves to your studies."
Furthermore, Jang emphasized, "The government will thoroughly support any needs arising at the class sites," and urged, "Students who hesitate to return, please trust the government and promptly come back to the educational field."
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