Approval of Medical School Leave Hits Regional National Universities' Finances... Disrupts Doctor Supply

University Begins Leave of Absence Approval Process
'Allowing Seasonal Semesters' Amid Struggles
Financial Impact Inevitable, "Return is Priority"

The Ministry of Education has allowed medical schools to autonomously approve medical students' leaves of absence, and universities have begun the approval process. As most students do not return to classes and take leaves of absence, financial damage to universities and issues with the supply of doctors are expected to become a reality.

According to education circles on the 4th, universities such as Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Korea University, Chungbuk National University, Catholic University, and Inje University have approved medical students' leaves of absence, and other universities are accelerating their approval processes. Universities like Gachon University, Catholic Kwandong University, Pusan National University, and Jeonbuk National University are also discussing final approvals.

In the case of regional flagship national universities with a high proportion of medical student increases, financial damage is expected to be greater as current students do not return while the number of new students for next year increases. If leave of absence is approved, tuition fees must be refunded or carried over to the next year according to school regulations.

Yang Obong, president of Jeonbuk National University, said in a phone interview with this paper, "There is financial damage, but we cannot do anything about students not returning," adding, "We prioritize minimizing students' harm and normalizing conflicts between the medical community and the government, and then we will address financial difficulties." Go Changseop, president of Chungbuk National University, also said, "It seems that few students intend to return this year," and "It appears that students are not returning due to pressure within student communities such as medical student group chat rooms." Universities are preparing measures such as allowing returning students to take classes during the summer session.

In particular, a problem is expected to arise where about 7,500 students, including first-year students who failed to advance this year and the increased number of new students next year, will have to attend classes together starting next year. In the long term, it is also expected to cause setbacks in the supply of doctors. It is estimated that many fourth-year medical students, who were supposed to take the national medical licensing exam this year, have taken leaves of absence. According to data submitted to Rep. Jin Sunmi of the Democratic Party by the Ministry of Education, as of July 22, only 104 out of 2,966 fourth-year students, or 3.5%, attended classes.

The Ministry of Education plans to comprehensively assess the leave of absence approval status at each university and discuss supplementary measures.