[2024 National Audit] 3 out of 10 National Universities Oppose '5-Year Medical School Reduction'... "Announced Without Confirmation?"

Opposition's Gominjeong "Open to Possibility of Shortening 5-Year System"
Lee Juho "One of the Measures to Overcome Emergency Situations"
4 out of 10 Places Also Express "Careful Consideration" Opinion

Regarding the Ministry of Education's plan to shorten the medical school curriculum from 6 years to 5 years, 3 out of 10 national universities expressed opposition. The remaining 4 also stated that careful consideration is needed through in-depth discussions.

On the 8th, Go Min-jeong, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, inquired about the 'position on compressing medical education to 5 years' to 10 national medical schools, and 3 universities including Kangwon National University, Gyeongsang National University, and Jeju National University responded with "disapproval."

Earlier, the Ministry of Education announced an 'Emergency Plan for Normalizing Medical School Academics,' stating that to minimize gaps in medical workforce training, they would collaborate with universities to shorten and flexibly operate the curriculum.

Gyeongsang National University explained its opposition, saying, "Unilaterally shortening the medical school academic schedule, which is meticulously and rigorously designed and conducted to produce doctors with appropriate competencies, without any alternatives, will clearly lead to the deterioration of medical education." Jeju National University also responded, "It is currently impossible to shorten the medical school curriculum to 5 years."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Seoul National University, Kyungpook National University, Chungnam National University, and Chungbuk National University stated that deeper discussions are necessary considering the ripple effects of the plan. Seoul National University said, "If compression is necessary, it should be promoted through in-depth discussions with internal members, especially medical school faculty and students, and with cooperation from organizations such as the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation." They also added, "Currently, under the revised Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act, our university is preparing to reorganize from a 2+4 year system to a 6-year system, and we are not aware of specific details regarding compression to 5 years."

On February 13, the Cabinet meeting passed a partial amendment to the Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act, allowing universities to autonomously design and operate medical school courses within a 6-year range combining pre-medical and medical courses, which were previously structured as 2 years of pre-med and 4 years of medical courses. About 8 months after the change from the 2+4 year system to the 6-year system, the proposal to shorten to 5 years has emerged again, causing increased confusion on the ground.

Chungnam National University responded, "We plan to carefully review the impact of curriculum changes on students' learning environment and medical competencies, prioritizing the quality of medical education," and added, "After confirming specific guidelines based on the Ministry of Education's policy direction, we will hold internal discussions to determine our final position."

Kyungpook National University stated, "It is necessary to consider various factors and ripple effects," while Chungbuk National University said, "We will decide whether to proceed after consulting with the medical school."

Chonnam National University, Jeonbuk National University, and Pusan National University did not submit responses.

During the National Assembly audit that day, Assemblywoman Go criticized Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho, saying, "Did you announce such a huge plan without individually confirming with doctors at the 10 national universities?" and added, "You have opened the door to shortening the 6-year system to 5 years."

When Assemblywoman Go asked, "Has there ever been a research report indicating that graduating doctors within 5 years would not cause problems, such as a research service?" Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho replied, "This is an emergency situation," and said, "It is one of the measures to overcome the emergency situation in medical workforce supply and demand." He emphasized, "We will not enforce it coercively or uniformly."