97% of Medical Students from 40 Universities Return, 2 Expelled... "Medical Education Normalization Begins"

As of March 31, 100% Return Rate at 35 Universities
Ministry of Education: "Admission Quota to Be Announced After Reviewing Class Progress"

As of the 31st of last month, 97% of the students from 40 medical schools who had been boycotting classes in protest of the increase in medical school admissions have returned.

On the 1st, the Ministry of Education announced that all unregistered leave students (100%) from 35 out of the 40 medical schools nationwide have registered at their schools. Two medical students were expelled for failing to register by the government-set return deadline of March 31.

The schools with a 100% return rate are 35 universities including Gachon University, Catholic Kwandong University, Catholic University, Kangwon National University, Konkuk University, Konyang University, Kyungpook National University, Kyung Hee University, Keimyung University, Korea University, Kosin University, Dankook University, Daegu Catholic University, Dongguk University, Dong-A University, Pusan National University, Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Soonchunhyang University, Yeungnam University, Ulsan University, Wonkwang University, Eulji University, Ewha Womans University, Inha University, Chonnam National University, Chonbuk National University, Jeju National University, Chosun University, Chung-Ang University, Chungnam National University, Chungbuk National University, Hallym University, Hanyang University, and CHA University of Medicine.

Four other universities also saw over 90% of students return: Gyeongsang National University at 99.7%, Ajou University at 99.6%, Yonsei University at 93.8%, and Yonsei University Wonju at 91.9%.

Inje University had the lowest return rate at around 24.2%. At Inje University, 370 medical students refused to pay tuition fees and were included among those scheduled for expulsion. Aside from these, most other non-returning students were identified as awaiting military enlistment.

A Ministry of Education official stated, "We believe that the normalization of medical education has begun through the return of medical students," adding, "We will review the class progress at each medical school and comprehensively discuss with the medical education community, including the Council of Medical School Deans (Uichonghyeop), the Korean Association of Medical Colleges, and the Korean Association of Medical Schools (KAMC), to announce the direction for adjusting admission quotas."

Alongside this, the Council of Medical School Deans also issued a statement on the same day encouraging medical students to participate in classes.

In the statement released by the chairpersons Yang Obong and Lee Haewoo, the Council said, "Since medical students have decided to return, the 40 medical schools will start the 2025 academic year normally," and "All class operations and academic affairs will be conducted in principle according to school regulations."

This means that if students register but do not attend classes, retention or expulsion according to school regulations will be unavoidable. The statement continued, "There are concerns that some medical students might return to school but not participate in classes," and emphasized, "Such a situation must never occur."

Furthermore, the Council stated, "Universities will thoroughly protect students who participate in classes," and "If medical students return to classes normally, as resolved by the Council, we reaffirm that the medical school admission quota for the 2026 academic year will be adjusted to 3,058 students."