A Nationwide 'Unprecedented Crisis' Hits Medical Schools... Some Start Classes on April 28

'2025 Academic Year Medical School Course Registration Status'
10 Out of 40 Schools Have Zero Registrants
Freshmen Also Join the Medical-Policy Conflict

With the start of the semester just one day away, it has been revealed that out of 40 medical schools nationwide, 10 have not had a single student register for courses. This appears to be a continuation of the medical-policy conflict triggered by last year's increase in medical school admissions.

According to data titled '2025 Academic Year 1st Semester Medical School Course Registration Status' submitted by the Ministry of Education to Jin Sun-mi, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, as of February 25, the total number of course registrations across 40 medical schools nationwide was 4,219.

It was found that out of 40 medical schools nationwide, 10 had no students enrolled in any courses. Photo by Yonhap News

Among these, there were 10 medical schools with zero students registered for courses. This includes all students from freshmen to clinical years (본과), with no course registrations at all. Even the freshmen admitted due to the increase in medical school quotas appear to be joining the medical-policy conflict by refusing to attend classes. However, since most schools will accept additional course registrations later this month, the number of registrants may increase.

Among freshmen at nine national medical schools nationwide, excluding Seoul National University, 852 students had registered for courses. By school, the numbers were ▲Kangwon National University 97 ▲Kyungpook National University 163 ▲Gyeongsang National University 141 ▲Pusan National University 162 ▲Chonnam National University 2 ▲Jeonbuk National University 0 ▲Jeju National University 0 ▲Chungbuk National University 41. However, at some schools such as Kyungpook National University and Jeonbuk National University, the figures include compulsory liberal arts courses registered en masse by the school on behalf of students.

Except for Seoul National University and Konyang University, all medical schools prohibit first-semester freshmen from taking a leave of absence according to their academic regulations. Last year, the government took a step back and effectively allowed leaves of absence, but this year it plans to respond strictly according to the rules.

The course registration status of the 'Class of 2024 freshmen' who enrolled last year was even lower. At Jeju National University and Jeonbuk National University, there were no students registered for courses at all. At Pusan National University, only four first-year students (not freshmen) had registered for courses.

Given the situation, five of the 40 medical schools nationwide have decided to postpone the start of the semester. Catholic University Medical School postponed the semester start to April 28 and shortened the vacation period. Kosin University and Jeju National University delayed the start to March 17, while Kangwon National University and Ulsan University postponed it to March 31. Jeju National University Medical School plans to conduct online lectures concurrently to prevent a large-scale failure or expulsion crisis.

Some schools prohibit leaves of absence for three consecutive semesters according to their academic regulations. If the Class of 2024 students who took a one-year leave do not apply for reinstatement, they may face expulsion.