Ministry of Health and Welfare: "Medical Licensing Exam to Proceed Tomorrow as Scheduled"…Individual Confirmation of Attendance Underway (Comprehensive)

Refund of Application Fee Likely... "Will Return It as Refusal Is Certain"

On the 12th, medical students from Chung-Ang University held a picket protest in front of Heukseok Station in Dongjak-gu, Seoul, urging opposition to the expansion of medical school quotas. Photo by Jinhyung Kang aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporters Seo So-jeong and Jo Hyun-ui] With the practical exam of the 85th Medical Licensing Examination in 2021, which medical students boycotted in opposition to government policies such as the expansion of medical school quotas, just one day away, the government has decided to proceed as scheduled.

A Ministry of Health and Welfare official said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 31st, "Since there are students who have registered for the exam, we cannot postpone the schedule," adding, "We have no choice but to proceed as planned." The official also said, "We are individually confirming the intentions of those who have expressed their desire to cancel the exam," explaining, "Because the atmosphere of collective action may prevent them from expressing their opinions."

Kim Heon-ju, Director of Health and Medical Policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, also emphasized on TBS Radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' that day, "The government needs to enforce policies based on principles," and added, "Postponing the exam for other reasons could harm those who have not canceled their registration."

The government believes that the elevation of social distancing to level 2.5 will not significantly affect the implementation of the licensing exam. A Ministry of Health and Welfare official stated, "Since the practical exam is less risky in terms of distancing," and clarified, "Because it is not conducted in a format where dozens of people gather in an auditorium, social distancing measures are not highly relevant."

However, various measures, including refunding exam fees, are being considered for those who cancel their registration. The Ministry official said, "The exam fee alone is 600,000 won," and added, "If the examinee clearly states they will not take the exam, the money should be refunded." Director Kim also noted, "While conducting the exam properly as much as possible, it is necessary to devise separate measures for examinees who need protection," leaving room for the possibility of relief measures.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.