[Exclusive] Government Restarts 'Upholding Medical Evaluation Institute' Neutralization... Risk of Another Explosion

KIMEE Deferred Non-Accreditation Decision for Wonkwang University Medical School Last Month
Ministry of Education Proceeds with Legislative Notice for 'KIMEE Neutralization Law'

The prolonged conflict between the government and the medical community over the increase in medical school quotas has once again escalated into a sharp confrontation related to the 'medical school accreditation' system. Analysts suggest that with neither dialogue nor compromise in sight, and both sides effectively threatening each other by leveraging their respective authorities, finding a way to resolve the conflict may become even more difficult.

According to Asia Economy's report on the 6th, the Ministry of Education recently began the final practical procedures, including regulatory review, for the amendment of the 'Regulations on Evaluation and Accreditation of Higher Education Institutions,' which was announced for legislative notice last September. This marks a change from the previous stance of postponing the amendment. The amendment primarily stipulates that if a medical school is judged to be unable to receive accreditation due to factors unrelated to its own efforts?such as abnormal academic operations or deteriorated educational conditions?it will not be immediately unaccredited but will be granted a 'supplementary period of at least one year.'

The actual authority to decide on medical school accreditation lies with the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation (KIMEE), a medical organization designated by the Ministry of Education for medical school evaluation and accreditation. KIMEE can assess whether significant changes within a medical school adversely affect the quality of education. One of the evaluation criteria includes an increase of more than 10% in the total enrolled students. Since KIMEE can broadly evaluate increases ranging from large-scale leaves of absence and reinstatements to government policy-driven expansions, it can legally impose a brake on government policies regarding medical school quota increases.

Although grace periods can currently be granted based on evaluations, the authority to decide whether to grant a grace period or immediately issue a non-accreditation decision rests with KIMEE. The amendment proposed by the Ministry of Education implies an intention to partially neutralize KIMEE's authority by mandating a supplementary period of at least one year regardless of negative evaluations.

Under current law, all medical schools must mandatorily undergo evaluation and accreditation by KIMEE, and those admitted to non-accredited medical schools cannot take the national medical licensing examination even after graduation. Recently, a 'mid-term evaluation' of Wonkwang University Medical School resulted in a deferred non-accreditation decision. Although this was conducted separately from the medical school quota increase issue, it drew attention as it was announced ahead of the major change evaluation results. KIMEE has indicated that it may actively evaluate universities with large-scale quota increases and impose non-accreditation if necessary.

The government's push for the amendment reflects its awareness of these circumstances and its attempt to respond by changing the law altogether. The escalating conflict seemed to ease somewhat when the government decided last December to temporarily suspend the amendment based on discussions within the ruling and opposition parties' parliamentary council. The apology issued last month by Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, who stated that "the scale of medical school quota expansion for the 2026 academic year can be flexibly negotiated from a zero base," also appeared to be a positive factor.

However, with the newly formed leadership of the Korean Medical Association (KMA) maintaining a hardline stance, and confusion persisting due to actual cases such as the deferred non-accreditation of Wonkwang University Medical School, it is interpreted that the government has revised its approach. KMA President Kim Taek-woo recently stated at a press conference that the association will only engage in dialogue after reviewing the government's upcoming medical education policy for this year. Although there was a private meeting between Minister Lee and President Kim, the KMA expressed regret afterward, stating, "Minister Lee appears to have no concrete plans for education and no willingness to accept the demands of residents."

The Office for Government Policy Coordination reportedly held a meeting with Ahn Deok-seon, President of KIMEE, on the 24th of last month to discuss the amendment and the current situation, but no consensus was reached.