Konkuk University Medical Student Publicly Criticizes "Returning Students Are Not Colleagues" in Group Chat

Statement Issued by All Second- and Third-Year Medical Students
"We Cannot Participate in Academic Activities Together"

Despite the government’s announcement that if all medical students return by the end of this month, the number of medical school admissions for next year will be frozen at the pre-increase level, medical students continue their collective action demanding "Do not admit any new medical students next year." Amid this, it has come to light that medical students at Konkuk University openly criticized those who returned to classes.

It has been revealed that medical students at Konkuk University publicly criticized students who returned to classes. Photo by Yonhap News

According to the medical community, one second-year and five third-year medical students at Konkuk University did not submit leave of absence forms last month and expressed their intention to return to classes. Those who did not return responded immediately. After attempts to force them to take a leave of absence were rejected, the students issued a statement in the KakaoTalk group chat for all department students, saying, "We can no longer consider those who returned as our colleagues."

The statement, signed by "All Second-Year Medical Students" and "All Third-Year Medical Students," stated, "Returning is inconsistent with the purpose of the medical students’ collective action, so we can no longer consider those who returned as colleagues and want to make it clear that they cannot participate in any academic activities related to their studies." It also declared that any further defectors would be barred from all academic activities. They expressed "deep regret over the return that betrayed the resolution made by the entire Konkuk University medical school against the current government’s autocratic 'medical reform'."

This behavior was also reported to the Ministry of Education. The dean and faculty members of Konkuk University’s medical school judged it as an unfair act and posted a notice on the school’s website. They stated, "This is a serious unfair act infringing on the individual student’s right to learn and is treated seriously under school regulations, causing great concern," and warned, "A strict investigation will begin according to procedures, and once the investigation is complete, disciplinary procedures will be carried out in accordance with school regulations."

Recently, the Korean Medical Association has been demanding the suspension of new medical student admissions for the 2026 academic year. They are also rejecting the Ministry of Education’s proposal to revert to the original plan. On the 8th, Kim Taek-woo, president of the Medical Association, expressed this position at a closed meeting with presidents of metropolitan and provincial medical associations nationwide. Vice President Park Dan also stated in a recent interview with a media outlet, "If education is deemed impossible, we need to consider not just restoring the quota but whether it is even possible to admit students for the 2026 academic year."