Despite the Government's Plan to Freeze Next Year's Medical School Admissions,
Return of Medical Students and Residents Remains Unlikely
"Educational Measures Needed for the Double Cohort of the Classes of 2024 and 2025"
Although the government has decided to revert the medical school admission quota for the 2026 academic year to the previous level before the increase, it seems unlikely that medical students and residents will return.
President Yang Obong of Jeonbuk National University, chairman of the Presidents' Council for the Advancement of Medical Colleges, is giving a briefing on student return and normalization of medical education at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on March 7, 2025. Photo by Jo Yongjun
On the 7th, medical students collectively expressed that they do not see sincerity in the government's announcement and have no intention of returning. They also emphasized that beyond simply withdrawing the increase, the government's 'Essential Medical Package' policy withdrawal is one of the most important demands they have.
A first-year medical student A, currently on leave from a medical school in Seoul, said, "I feel no sincerity in the statement about re-discussing the quota in 2027," adding, "Even the freshmen, who transferred from regional medical schools through re-examination, are beginning to understand the current situation around this as a focal point and will not attend classes."
A also said, "If the government completely withdraws not only next year's quota but also the medical school expansion plan and cancels the Essential Medical Package, I would consider returning to school," adding, "Educational measures related to the double cohort issue of the classes of 2024 and 2025 must also be prepared."
B, a first-year pre-med student on leave from a medical school in Gyeongnam, also said, "The essence of this situation is the Essential Medical Package. We left school to prevent medical disruption caused by the implementation of the Essential Medical Package, and the increase in admissions is only part of the package," criticizing, "The problem cannot be solved without withdrawing the Essential Medical Package, but the government is not even mentioning it."
B also criticized the government's proposal to freeze only the 2026 quota. B said, "They say the quota will be decided again by the Medical Workforce Supply and Demand Estimation Committee starting in 2027," adding, "If students return under the current circumstances, there is a possibility that the increase will resume from 2027."
The loss of trust in the government was also cited as a reason for not being able to return. B said, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare unilaterally ignored the medical-government agreement in 2020 and pursued unscientific policies," arguing, "Future promises by the government should not remain mere agreements but must be legislated."
On the same day, the government expressed expectations by announcing a policy of zero increase in medical school admissions for the 2026 academic year. Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, said, "We are communicating closely and exchanging opinions with the students," adding, "Since today's announcement is based on such communication, we expect the students to return."
Residents who resigned from training hospitals due to the medical-government conflict triggered by last year's medical school expansion are also skeptical of the government's recent proposal. They shared the same view as the medical students that overall revisions to the government's medical reform are necessary first.
C, who resigned from a training hospital in Gyeonggi Province, said, "I question whether medical student education is practically possible this year," adding, "It is frustrating that they keep offering only inducements instead of concrete measures."
C also predicted that without fundamental changes, it would be difficult for resigned residents to return. He emphasized, "If there are no policies to protect essential departments or improve residents' treatment, nothing has changed," adding, "Even if medical students and residents return, there is no guarantee that such incidents will not recur."
D, who resigned from a training hospital in Seoul, said, "I think the government has no conscience. Instead of proposing a freeze on the premise of return, they should promise to freeze the increase and ask us to return."
D also argued that a reduction in quota is necessary beyond just freezing the increase. He said, "Only after reducing the number by the amount increased this year and re-discussing from scratch can we consider returning," demanding, "Whether it is a reduction of 2,000 in 2026 or 200 per year for 10 years, the already increased quota must be reversed first."
He also criticized the deans who engaged in talks with the government. Park Dan, Emergency Committee Chair of the Korean Intern and Resident Association, said on his personal social media on the same day, "The Ministry of Education's measures are again for a 5.5-year program. It is obviously impossible to educate 7,500 students," adding, "Deans, who should be passing on a better educational environment to juniors, are instead siding with government power and trying to drag their students into the gutter."
Park added, "If we don't return, 5,058? This is not a crime of insolence; it is nothing but fraud and threats against students from beginning to end," adding, "Without any alternatives on how to educate 7,500 students, worrying about selecting new students next year is utterly irresponsible."
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