Yonsei Medical School: "Leave negotiations with the government to the seniors and return to school"

Dean's Letter to Students, Professors, and Parents
"Additional Returns Not Allowed After March 24" Emphasized

The government decided to revert the number of medical school admissions for next year to 3,058, the number before the increase, on the premise of 'medical students returning in March.' In response, major medical schools have begun persuading students to return.

According to the medical community on the 7th, Choi Jae-young, Dean of Yonsei University College of Medicine, stated in a letter "To students, professors, and parents" that "I hope that this additional year will not be repeated for our students who sacrificed precious time due to the government's reckless healthcare policy implementation."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho is deep in thought while attending a briefing on student return and the normalization of medical education at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 7th. 2025.3.7 Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Dean Choi continued, "Today, the Ministry of Education and the presidents of 40 universities with medical schools urgently announced that the number of admissions for the 2026 academic year will be set at 3,058," and "Yonsei College of Medicine has arranged a special education schedule starting on March 24, 2025." He explained, "This is the final curriculum commencement schedule adjusted to the maximum extent to meet the standards of the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation while aiming for high-quality medical education," emphasizing, "We clearly state that no further returns will be allowed after March 24, 2025, for the 2025 academic year."

He also mentioned that even if students apply for a leave of absence for the first semester of the 2025 academic year, approval may be difficult.

Dean Choi said, "Regardless of Yonsei University's regulations, leave of absence petitions may not be approved according to the Ministry of Education's policy, so I am concerned that students may suffer serious disadvantages," and added, "Acts that block other students' return to school are serious unfair acts and will be strictly dealt with and disciplined according to school regulations." He further urged, "Students should make decisions after sufficient consideration as independent individuals and consultation with professors and parents," adding, "Now, leave negotiations with the government to the seniors and come back to school. We are waiting for you."

Meanwhile, on the 17th of last month, the Korean Association of Medical Colleges (KAMC), a gathering of medical school deans, submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Education stating that if the number of medical school admissions is reduced to 3,058 next year, medical students will definitely be made to return. Subsequently, the Association of University Presidents with Medical Schools (UAPMS) held its own meeting on the 5th and decided to align with KAMC's position, lending support.

Although the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare stated in a joint briefing in January that they would review the medical school quota for the 2026 academic year from a zero base, they have consistently maintained the fundamental principle that the core of healthcare reform is the 'increase in medical school admissions.' However, despite the new semester starting, the return of the 2024 cohort on leave has not occurred, and even the 2025 freshmen have shown a refusal to attend classes, leading to a reversal of stance and surrender within a month.