Government Reaffirms "Medical Students Voluntarily Refused Exams... No Additional Relief" (Update)

"Medical Community Should Change Medical Students' Attitudes, Not Demand from Government"
Extension of Application Period and Other Relief Measures Already Proposed, but Many Medical Students Reject Them

On the 8th, the practical exam day for the 85th Medical Licensing Examination, a notice prohibiting entry to outsiders is posted at the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Dae-yeol] On the 8th, the government announced that there is no additional way to provide relief for medical students who do not take the national medical licensing examination. Since the medical students themselves are refusing to take the exam, it is impossible for the government to intervene on their behalf. The government made it clear that there will be no further acceptance of applications, as it had already offered relief measures such as extending the exam registration period once before.

Son Young-rae, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health and Welfare, said at the Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters briefing, "It is unreasonable for the Medical Association and resident organizations to demand relief for medical students regarding the national exam," adding, "Currently, the medical students are voluntarily refusing the national exam, and demanding the government to provide relief is like asking to solve an impossible problem."

He continued, "Rather than demanding something from the government, it is only natural that the Medical Association and resident organizations prioritize efforts to encourage medical students to return to their studies and change their stance to take the exam."

On the 8th, the practical exam day for the 85th Medical Licensing Examination, a notice prohibiting outside visitors is posted at the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. Photo by Moon Honam munonam@

86% of Eligible Candidates Declare Non-Participation
Government: "Already Extended... Additional Relief Would Violate Fairness"

Lee Yoon-sung, director of the Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute, which administers the national medical exam, mentioned in a media interview that relief measures could be possible if medical students withdraw their refusal to take the exam. However, the government still considers this difficult at present. Spokesperson Son said, "Director Lee did not say that relief measures must be prepared; rather, he explained that since the students themselves are refusing the exam and the reasons are unclear, it is difficult for the exam administration body to propose any solutions."

Earlier, as conflicts between the government and medical organizations escalated, a significant number of medical students went on strike or withdrew from the national medical licensing exam. When the number of applicants remained low near the registration deadline, the registration period was extended by one week. Subsequently, a memorandum of understanding was reached with the medical community, entering a phase of reconciliation, but voices of opposition persisted mainly among medical students and resident organizations. Ultimately, only 14% of all eligible candidates registered to take the exam. The remaining 86%, approximately 2,700 students, have not withdrawn their refusal, making them unable to take this year’s exam.

Considering fairness with other national exams, the government believes it is inappropriate to provide relief to medical students who refuse to take the exam. Spokesperson Son emphasized, "The medical community needs to be mindful that many citizens view giving medical students an additional chance at the national exam as a violation of fairness and equity," adding, "Since we have sufficiently taken measures such as postponing the exam and extending registration, extending the registration period once more could cause controversy, so we are not considering granting additional registration opportunities."

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