Decrease Compared to 7,210 in the First Semester Last Year
Seoul National University 241, Chosun University 235, Korea University 219, and Others
Seodaemun-gu Yonsei University College of Medicine stock photo unrelated to specific article content.
While medical students have been continuing their "class boycott" for over a year, it has been found that more than 4,600 medical students applied for national scholarships for the first semester of this year. Although this is a decrease compared to 7,210 applicants in the first semester of last year, there are growing voices criticizing the unfairness of students receiving scholarships despite refusing to attend classes.
According to data titled "Status of National Scholarships by Medical School," submitted by the Ministry of Education to Representative Kim Mi-ae of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, a total of 4,634 students from 39 medical schools nationwide?excluding CHA University, which is a graduate school of medicine?applied for national scholarships for the first semester of this year.
By university, Seoul National University had the highest number of applicants at 241. This was followed by Chosun University (235), Korea University (219), Jeonbuk National University (202), Yonsei University (main campus) with 148, Catholic University of Korea with 139, Sungkyunkwan University with 71, and University of Ulsan with 79.
In the first semester of last year, when tensions between the government and medical students were at their peak, the number of applicants for national scholarships was 7,210. However, this number dropped by more than half to 3,201 in the second semester of the same year, before slightly rebounding in the first semester of this year.
The total amount of national scholarships awarded to medical students nationwide last year was 9,676 million won. The largest amount was distributed at Chosun University (917 million won), followed by Jeonbuk National University (547 million won), Wonkwang University (506 million won), Gyeongsang National University (477 million won), and Soonchunhyang University (452 million won).
Representative Kim Mi-ae stated, "With the new government taking office next month, a comprehensive review is needed to identify any shortcomings or unreasonable aspects in the operation and execution of the scholarship system as a whole," adding, "I hope that a rational and fair system will be established from the very first stage of entry into the medical system."
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