Concerns Over Spread After Seoul National University Medical School's Approval of 780 Students' Collective Leave of Absence
Presidential Office Emphasizes That Collective Unconditional Leave Cannot Be Considered as Leave
Medical School Dean Holds Authority to Approve Leave... Calls for Autonomous Decision-Making
The Ministry of Education has convened the presidents of 40 universities nationwide that have medical schools to strongly oppose the approval of alliance leaves of absence by medical students. On the afternoon of the 4th, during an online meeting chaired by Vice Minister Oh Seok-hwan, the Ministry stated, “Alliance leaves of absence are difficult to consider as legitimate reasons for leave, so we requested renewed cooperation to prevent the approval of large-scale collective leaves of absence.”
After Seoul National University College of Medicine recently approved the leave of absence applications of 780 medical students at once, the Ministry of Education is cracking down to prevent such collective leaves from spreading to other universities. During the meeting, the presidents expressed concerns that ongoing student absences are causing difficulties in academic administration, and the Ministry accepted this, explaining that “there was a proposal that support is needed for students’ return and the normal operation of the curriculum.”
In addition, the Presidential Office also commented on the situation. Jang Sang-yoon, Senior Secretary for Social Affairs at the Presidential Office, said regarding Seoul National University College of Medicine’s approval of leaves, “Taking a collective leave without individual reasons is not a leave of absence, which is why it has been blocked.” He judged this as the unilateral action of the dean of Seoul National University College of Medicine and emphasized that indiscriminate approval of leaves when students do not return is a failure to fulfill the responsibilities of an educator.
Meanwhile, the medical community has repeatedly requested the Ministry of Education, arguing that leaves of absence are inevitable as it is difficult for medical students to return within the year. The Korean Association of Medical Colleges and Medical Schools, a nationwide organization of medical school deans, has requested that each university be allowed to autonomously decide whether to approve leave applications.
Currently, about half of the 40 medical schools have deans with the authority to approve leaves of absence, and these medical schools can process leave applications without the president’s approval. However, since alliance leaves of absence differ from general leaves, some universities hold academic committee meetings to decide on leave approvals.
Through this meeting, the Ministry of Education reaffirmed the government’s commitment to the return of medical students and the normalization of education and stated that it will monitor the situation going forward.
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