Large-Scale Holding Back of Chonnam National University and Chosun University Medical Students Who Did Not Return to Classes Becomes Reality

Only 10-20% of Students Have Returned to Classes
Most Are Expected to Be Held Back

The majority of medical students at Chonnam National University and Chosun University have not returned to classes, making it likely that they will be held back a year.

According to the Ministry of Education and other sources on May 9, the Ministry of Education has finalized the list of students who will be held back at 40 medical schools nationwide. It was confirmed that there are no students at Chonnam National University or Chosun University who are subject to expulsion this year.

Although the Ministry of Education announced only the total number of students nationwide who will be held back or expelled, and did not disclose figures for individual universities, it is understood that, according to academic regulations, 80 to 90 percent of medical students at Chonnam National University and Chosun University are subject to being held back.

Chonnam National University Medical School has a total enrollment of 893 students (409 in pre-med and 484 in the medical program). As of last month, excluding those on military leave and similar absences, there were 697 enrolled students (303 in pre-med and 394 in the medical program). Of these, less than 10 percent reportedly participated in classes.

At Chonnam National University, medical program students are held back if they receive even one F grade, such as by missing more than one quarter of the required class days. Pre-med students are not held back, but instead receive an academic warning. Third- and fourth-year medical program students are held back if they miss practical training lectures more than twice a week. As a result, it appears that the majority of the 394 enrolled medical program students, except for those who have returned to class, will be held back.

At Chosun University Medical School, academic regulations stipulate that even pre-med students will be held back if they receive an F grade in any major subject. Chosun University Medical School has a total enrollment of 878 students (394 in pre-med and 406 in the medical program), with 668 currently enrolled students (262 in pre-med and 406 in the medical program) after excluding those on military leave and similar absences.

By around April 22, more than one quarter of the total class days for all medical school subjects had passed, but the proportion of students who had returned to classes remained in the 10 percent range, so as many as 90 percent of enrolled students are expected to be held back.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Education announced on the same day that, out of 19,475 medical students nationwide, 8,305 students (42.6 percent) have been confirmed to be held back, and 46 students (0.2 percent) are scheduled for expulsion.