"You Should Not Return Right Now"... Jeonbuk National University Medical Students Report Seniors

Reported to University and Ministry of Education
Claims: "You should not return right now"

Jeonbuk National University Hospital exterior. Photo by Asia Economy DB

Recently, reports have been filed that senior students are blocking medical students from returning to classes at universities such as CHA University and Eulji University. Similar reports have also been confirmed at Jeonbuk National University.

According to Jeonbuk National University on June 19, some students from the class of 2024 at the university's medical school reported A, the head of the emergency response committee of the Jeonbuk branch of the Korean Medical Students’ Association (KMSA) and their senior at the same school, to both the university and the Ministry of Education.

In a recent informal survey of the class of 2024 students regarding their intention to return, 70 percent of approximately 100 respondents indicated their willingness to resume classes. The students claim that A stated, in essence, "You should not return right now."

Second-year students allege that their senior sent them text messages instructing them not to attend classes and that they felt threatened by these actions.

A Jeonbuk National University official stated, "We will investigate whether A actually made such statements and, if it is found that classes were disrupted, we will proceed with disciplinary measures."

Meanwhile, at the CHA University Graduate School of Medicine, second-year students have requested the expulsion of a third-year senior who disrupted classes. They also reported the threats to the Ministry of Education, which has demanded strict action from the university. The CHA University Graduate School of Medicine has acknowledged these facts and decided to exclude students who were unable to attend classes due to coercion by seniors or peers from the list of those subject to expulsion.

Additionally, Eulji University recently imposed disciplinary measures on two medical students for obstructing the return to classes. These students reportedly led efforts to hinder the return by gathering students on the school field around May 7, the deadline set by the government and the university for returning to classes, and holding a public vote to determine their intention to participate in classes.