39 out of 40 Locations Resume Classes
Clinical Practice for 3rd-4th Year Medical Students Suspended
Face-to-Face and Online Classes Combined Amid Class Refusals
Medical Student Association "Still Firm in Position"
Most of the 40 medical schools nationwide, which had postponed classes due to collective actions by medical students opposing the 'increase in medical school quotas,' will resume classes this month. However, a significant number of medical students still have not returned to classes and continue to express their protest.
On the morning of the 9th, the Ministry of Education announced the status of medical school class operations and resumptions at the Government Seoul Office, urging universities to make efforts for normal academic operations. At the briefing, Oh Seok-hwan, Vice Minister of Education, stated, "Despite many difficulties on university campuses, I thank the university officials who have worked hard to normalize academic operations so that students' right to learn is not infringed."
As of the previous day, the Ministry of Education reported that 16 universities are currently operating classes, and 23 universities plan to resume classes. The status of class resumption at Soonchunhyang University is unknown. The universities currently operating classes include ▲Gachon University ▲Kyungpook National University ▲Kyung Hee University ▲Korea University ▲Dongguk University (branch) ▲Seoul National University ▲Yonsei University ▲Yeungnam University ▲Ewha Womans University ▲Inje University ▲Chonbuk National University ▲Jeju National University ▲Chungnam National University ▲Chungbuk National University ▲Hallym University ▲Hanyang University, totaling 16 institutions. This includes cases where at least one grade from the 2nd year of pre-medical to medical school classes is being held. Most 3rd and 4th-year medical students have had their practical classes suspended or postponed. Classes are being conducted through a mix of face-to-face, online, and video lectures.
Additionally, from the 15th, 16 universities including ▲Catholic Kwandong University ▲Catholic University ▲Konkuk University (branch) ▲Konyang University ▲Gyeongsang National University ▲Keimyung University ▲Dankook University (Cheonan) ▲Daegu Catholic University ▲Dong-A University ▲Pusan National University ▲Sungkyunkwan University ▲Yonsei University (branch) ▲Ulsan University ▲Wonkwang University ▲Chonnam National University ▲Chosun University will resume classes. From the 22nd, 5 universities including ▲Kangwon National University ▲Kosin University ▲Ajou University ▲Eulji University ▲CHA University will hold classes, and from the 29th, 2 universities including ▲Inha University ▲Chung-Ang University will open classes.
However, the Ministry of Education explained that many of the classes being resumed include 1st-year pre-medical courses, which have a high proportion of liberal arts classes. On this day, Vice Minister Oh said, "Still, 15 universities have not been able to operate 1st-year pre-medical major classes. We request active efforts from each university to ensure classes can be held promptly."
Although universities have repeatedly suspended classes since February to prevent students from failing, they appear to have decided to resume classes as the deadline to meet the legally required number of class days approaches.
However, there has been no change in the stance of medical students. The Korea Association of Medical Students (KAMS) stated on this day, "Administrative resumption of classes and students' actual attendance are different," adding, "Students still maintain a firm position." As of the previous day, the number of valid leave of absence applications from 40 medical schools was 2 students from 2 schools, with a cumulative total of 10,377 applications (55.2% of enrolled students).
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