Ministry of Education to Seek Ways to Normalize Medical Education... Is There a Shift in the 'No Academic Flexibility' Stance?

From "Absolutely No Academic Flexibility This Year"
to "It's Difficult to Give a Definitive Answer"
KMSA: "Classes During Vacation Are Not Special Treatment"
Ministry of Education: "This Falls Under Broad Academic Flexibility"
"Timing and Method of Return Must Be Considered...
We Will Seek Direction in Consultation with Related Ministries"

There is growing speculation that the Ministry of Education may be shifting its policy stance, as it appears to be reconsidering its previously firm position that "there will be absolutely no academic flexibility" for medical students who left school in protest against the increase in medical school admissions.

Yonhap News

On July 14, the Ministry of Education stated, "We will seek ways to normalize medical education." At a regular briefing held at the Sejong Government Complex, Deputy Spokesperson Cha Younga said, "The timing and method of medical students' return to school will vary depending on the circumstances of each institution," and added, "Whether or not academic flexibility will be allowed is a matter that requires comprehensive review, so it is difficult to give a definitive answer." She also noted, "We need to determine when the medical students will return."

This is a notable departure from the ministry's previous attitude.

Since the beginning of this year, the Ministry of Education has repeatedly stated its policy that "academic flexibility will absolutely not be permitted this year." Last year, the ministry approved group leaves of absence and allowed academic flexibility for medical students, arguing that flexible academic management was needed to protect students during the first year of increased admissions. However, the ministry insisted that the situation is different this year. In particular, regarding students admitted in 2025, the ministry said, "They enrolled knowing about the increased admissions, so group leaves of absence or class boycotts in protest of the increase are not justifiable," and reiterated, "There will be absolutely no academic flexibility this year."

Even when setting April 30 as the final deadline for non-returning medical students, the ministry maintained a hardline stance, saying, "There are rumors among students that the ministry is negotiating academic flexibility, but we have never discussed academic flexibility through any channel."

The shift in the ministry's position has been prompted by the "all students will return" declaration by medical students. On July 12, the Korean Medical Student Association (KMSA) issued a joint statement with the National Assembly's Education Committee and Health and Welfare Committee, expressing their intention to return. The KMSA stated, "We will trust the National Assembly and the government, and all students will return to school to help restore normalcy in medical education and the healthcare system."

However, stating an intention to return does not mean that students can immediately resume their studies. Unlike general universities, medical school academic schedules operate on a yearly basis, and according to school regulations, these students would be able to return in the first semester of next year. To allow them to return in the second semester of this year, amendments to school regulations would be required, making academic flexibility in effect unavoidable.

The KMSA argued, "We ask that students be allowed to use summer and winter sessions and vacation periods to complete their coursework without compressing or skipping any part of the curriculum, so that the total amount of education is not reduced," and insisted, "This is different from academic flexibility or special treatment."

In response, Deputy Spokesperson Cha said, "That also falls under the broad definition of academic flexibility." If this happens, issues may arise regarding the credibility of government policy and fairness for medical students who already returned in the first semester.

Deputy Spokesperson Cha also said, "The timing and method of medical students' return must be considered individually by each school, as the relevant circumstances differ," and explained, "Regulations on repeating a year or expulsion vary by school, and there are also differences in regulations for pre-medical and medical students." She added, "The Ministry of Education will seek direction in consultation with educational stakeholders, as well as related ministries such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare."

Regarding the large-scale academic probation measures taken against medical students in May, the ministry stated, "Those measures will proceed as planned." Previously, the ministry announced that, as of April 30, out of 19,475 enrolled students at 40 medical schools nationwide, 8,305 would be placed on academic probation and 46 would be expelled.