Seoul National University College of Medicine Professors: "'KHPLEI Evaluation Review' Is an Attempt to Sacrifice Education for the Regime"

"Only Students Fully Qualified Will Be Allowed to Graduate"

Professors at Seoul National University College of Medicine have voiced opposition to the government's evaluation review by the Korea Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation (KIMEE).

Professor Kang Hee-kyung, Chair of the Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital Emergency Response Committee, is speaking at a meeting with the Democratic Party's Medical Crisis Countermeasures Special Committee held at the National Assembly on the 12th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

The Emergency Response Committee (ERC) of Seoul National University College of Medicine and Seoul National University Hospital issued a statement on the 23rd titled "The Ministry of Education must immediately stop attempts to lower the quality of medical education," saying, "What is the Ministry of Education's intention in suddenly trying to review the KIMEE evaluation when it is not an expert in medical education?" and "Stop immediately the attempt to sacrifice the quality of medical education for the benefit of the administration."

They continued, "We deplore the 'Flexible Operation Guidelines for Medical School Academics' announced by the Ministry of Education last July," adding, "Regardless of any pressure, only students with sufficient qualifications will be allowed to graduate from medical school as before."

If the enrollment quota of a medical school increases by more than 10%, it is classified as a 'major change' and must receive KIMEE accreditation. According to the medical community, on the 19th, the Ministry of Education sent official letters to medical schools and their affiliated university headquarters that are subject to KIMEE's 'major change evaluation' due to the increase in medical school enrollment. The major change evaluation is intended to measure changes in the educational environment caused by the increase in enrollment and to assess qualitative standards based on curriculum and outcomes.

According to the Ministry of Education's official letter, the Accreditation Institution Deliberation Committee under the Ministry will conduct a review to ensure fairness and objectivity in KIMEE's major change evaluation. Depending on the results, the committee may instruct supplementation or recommend revisions to the major change evaluation.