Medical Students Return... All Students Back at Seoul National University

Medical Schools: 7 Out of 10 Close Return Applications Today
Seoul National and Yonsei Register All Students... Korea University Expects 80%
Return Trend Spreads, Normal Classes Possible if 60-70% Come Back
Anonymous Vote Shows 66% Oppose "Unregistered Leave of Absence"

Seoul National University College of Medicine students have decided to all return before the deadline for returning from leave of absence on the 27th. It is reported that over 700 students, accounting for more than 90% of enrolled students excluding those on military leave, have registered for classes. The Seoul National University College of Medicine Student Council issued a statement saying, "We have determined that continuing the struggle through unregistered leave of absence is practically impossible." Earlier, Yonsei University and Korea University Colleges of Medicine, which had closed their return applications, also saw 80-90% of students return. This is expected to affect other medical schools as well.

On the 28th, 30 out of 40 medical schools nationwide will close the application period for returning students who have not registered. Accordingly, there are prospects that medical classes will proceed normally this year.

At Yonsei University College of Medicine, which closed registration on the 21st, additional registrations are continuing. On the 24th, Yonsei University College of Medicine sent a 'Notice of Expected Expulsion Due to Non-Registration' to 398 students (45%) out of 881 who did not register for the first semester, and a significant number of them have returned. Furthermore, the Yonsei University College of Medicine Emergency Situation Response Committee changed its response guideline on the 27th from 'unregistered leave of absence' to 'leave of absence after registration,' raising the possibility that all Yonsei medical students will return.

As Korea University announced that it will send expulsion notices to medical students who have not returned, a student is seen moving at the Korea University College of Medicine in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul on March 28, 2025. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung

Korea University also closed registration on the 21st and decided to implement expulsion notices starting that day. However, it is reported that students subject to expulsion continue to apply for return consultations and inquire about deadline extensions and additional registration. Since the return deadlines for 8 to 9 universities are on the 31st of this month, the outline of the number of students able to attend normal medical classes next week is expected to emerge.

The education sector is paying attention to the results of an anonymous vote conducted by the Seoul National University College of Medicine Medical-Government Conflict Response Task Force (TF). In the survey, 65.7% answered "No" to the question asking if they intended to continue the struggle through unregistered leave of absence. This is interpreted as meaning "they want to return." A Ministry of Education official said, "Except for some who voice strong opinions, we understand that many medical students have different thoughts," adding, "If 60-70% of medical students return to attend classes, schools will likely be able to conduct normal classes."