Universities Temporarily Withholding Approval for Leave of Absence
As Seoul National University College of Medicine approved students' collective leave of absence, it has been confirmed that 2,488 medical students from five national universities are also on leave waiting status.
According to data received on the 5th by Baek Seung-ah, a member of the National Assembly Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, from five national universities (Kangwon National University, Kyungpook National University, Gyeongsang National University, Pusan National University, and Chonnam National University), the total number of leave of absence applicants for 2024, combining the first and second semesters, was 2,661.
Among them, only 173 students, or 6.5%, were approved for leave, while the remaining 2,488 students (93.5%) are in leave pending status.
The number of students with leave pending status by university is as follows: Pusan National University 672 (leave disapproval rate 98.5%), Chonnam National University 650 (92.3%), Kyungpook National University 490 (90.9%), Gyeongsang National University 420 (91.9%), and Kangwon National University 256 (91.8%).
Most of the approved leave cases were military leave or medical leave, suggesting that the disapproval rates at other universities are likely similar.
According to Baek’s office, after confirming the leave approval plans of the five universities, since the Ministry of Education issued guidelines prohibiting approval of collective leave and launched a strong audit on Seoul National University, universities are currently putting students' leave applications on hold and monitoring the situation.
Kyungpook National University stated, "The Ministry of Education has sent guidelines stating that collective leave cannot be considered a legitimate reason for leave and requested active guidance and academic management to ensure students promptly return to classes. Therefore, our university does not approve general leave for medical students."
Gyeongsang National University responded, "We will follow the Ministry of Education’s academic operation guidelines."
Chonnam National University is also holding off on approving leave in accordance with the Ministry of Education’s policy.
Kangwon National University said it is waiting for additional guidelines from the Ministry of Education but added, "If students continue not to attend classes, a large-scale failure will occur, so approving leave is considered a favorable decision for students."
Pusan National University stated, "If the situation changes and leave approval becomes possible, we plan to reconfirm each student's intention to take leave individually and provide guidance on the class environment after returning before processing the leave."
Assemblywoman Baek said, "Oppressive audits on universities are not the solution," and emphasized, "Fundamental solutions must be pursued."
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