Half of Medical Students Fully Enrolled... Rising Expectations for Normalization After 'Group Leave of Absence Ends'

Among the 40 medical schools nationwide, it has been revealed that medical students at nearly half, 19 universities, have effectively all returned.

Yonhap News

According to the education sector, as of 5 p.m. on the 31st, the government’s deadline for medical students to return, a total of 19 medical schools have either completed full registration or expressed the intention for all students to return.

These include Seoul National University, Yonsei University, Sungkyunkwan University, Ulsan University, Catholic University, as well as Gachon University, Kyungpook National University, Gyeongsang National University, Kyung Hee University, Korea University, Pusan National University, Eulji University, Ewha Womans University, Chonnam National University, Chosun University, Chung-Ang University, CHA University, Chungnam National University, and Chungbuk National University.

Among the eight universities whose registration deadline was on this day?Hanyang University, Konkuk University, Dankook University, Ajou University, Keimyung University, Gachon University, Daegu Catholic University, and Wonkwang University?some extended their registration hours until midnight.

Considering that registration applications typically surge near the deadline, there is a forecast that the number of medical schools joining the return movement will increase further.

Furthermore, as metropolitan area universities have initiated the return movement, regional flagship national universities are also gradually joining, solidifying the trend of all medical students returning.

However, some universities, including Inha University, still have a significantly high non-registration rate, raising the possibility of a dropout crisis becoming a reality.

Previously, it was reported that according to a self-survey by Inha University medical students, 97% voted for a 'non-registration protest.' Although the deadline was the 28th of this month, they decided to accept additional applications until that night.

At a briefing at the government Sejong complex that day, Ministry of Education spokesperson Koo Yeon-hee explained, "The overall major trend has shifted towards registration," but also noted, "I understand that some universities have no registrations at all."