Possibility of Major Change Evaluation for Medical Schools Nationwide... "Depends on the Scale of Medical Students' Return"

"Over 10% Increase in Student Numbers May Trigger Major Change Evaluation"
"Difficult to Assess Actual Situation... Criteria for Class Participation Remain Unclear"

Depending on the scale of medical students returning to school, there is a possibility that the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation (KIMEE) will conduct a major change evaluation for all 40 medical schools nationwide. Previously, only 30 medical schools, excluding those located in Seoul, underwent the major change evaluation due to increased enrollment last year. If a medical school fails the major change evaluation, its new students next year will not be eligible to take the national medical licensing examination.

On the 19th of last month, a student is studying alone in a study room inside the Korea University College of Medicine in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Photo by Choi Taewon

On the 16th, Heo Jeong-seok, president of KIMEE, said in a phone interview with Asia Economy, "According to regulations, if the number of medical students returning to school after taking a leave of absence last year increases the educational population by more than 10%, the school may be subject to a major change evaluation." However, he added, "It is difficult to accurately grasp the current situation, so we can only wait and see for now." It is expected that serious discussions about whether to conduct the evaluation will take place after the Ministry of Education announces the number of medical students attending classes.

The Ministry of Education is likely to announce the number of medical students attending classes within this month. This is because each university must finalize its admissions plan, including quotas, by the end of April according to next year's admissions schedule. Kim Hong-soon, the Ministry of Education's Medical Education Support Officer, stated, "The schedule for announcing the number of medical students attending classes is undecided," but added, "(In principle) it is correct that the decision should be made in April due to the admissions schedule."

Confusion continues due to insufficient standards for calculating the number of students in education. For example, there is controversy over whether students who return to school but do not properly attend classes should be included in the increased educational population, and to what extent attendance should be considered as participation in classes.

KIMEE is an institution designated by the Ministry of Education responsible for the evaluation and accreditation of medical schools. KIMEE's evaluations and accreditations are broadly divided into regular evaluations, interim evaluations, and major change evaluations. Major change evaluations are conducted when significant changes are expected in medical education, such as changes in teaching hospitals, campus relocation or division, ownership changes, or changes in student numbers. In the case of student numbers, if enrollment increases by more than 10% of the total registered students, a major change evaluation can be conducted.

The evaluation results are classified as accreditation or non-accreditation. A non-accreditation judgment can be deferred for one year. According to the Medical Service Act, if a medical school is not accredited at the time of admission, even if the student graduates, they are not eligible to take the national medical licensing examination.

Earlier, on February 13, the medical schools of Chungbuk National University, Ulsan University, and Wonkwang University received a 'non-accreditation deferral' judgment from KIMEE's major change evaluation due to increased enrollment. It is known that Chungbuk National University and Wonkwang University were affected by 'lack of preparation for evaluation,' while Ulsan University was affected by 'lack of credibility in the Ulsan campus relocation plan.' The combined enrollment quota of the three universities' medical schools is 385 students as of the 2025 academic year. Chungbuk National University increased from 49 students last year to 125 this year, Wonkwang University from 93 to 150, and Ulsan University from 40 to 110.