Medical Students' Collective Action Enters Third Day, 63% on Leave of Absence... 11,778 Participants

3,025 Students Submitted Leave of Absence Requests as of 6 PM Previous Day
Leave Applications Filed at 34 out of 40 Medical Schools Nationwide

On the 22nd, the third day of collective action against the increase in medical school quotas, about 10,000 medical students submitted leave of absence applications. This accounts for approximately 63% of all enrolled medical students.

According to the Ministry of Education, 1,133 students applied on the 19th, 7,620 on the 20th, and 3,025 the previous day, totaling 11,778 medical students.

Medical staff are moving at a university hospital in Seoul on the 15th, as medical organizations oppose the government's plan to increase the number of medical students and announce simultaneous rallies across the country. Photo by Jo Yongjun jun21@

Considering that the total number of enrolled medical students nationwide was 18,793 as of April 1 last year according to educational statistics, 62.7% have applied for leave. Among the 40 medical schools nationwide, 34 schools, representing 85%, have received leave applications.

The Ministry of Education maintains the position that collective leave of absence does not qualify as a valid reason for leave, and only 10 cases were approved the previous day. These included 5 cases of military enlistment, 4 cases of failing or non-completion, and 1 case of personal reasons.

Although the authorities have not disclosed the specific university names or the number of applicants per school who applied for leave, each medical school has issued statements on social media expressing participation in the 'collective leave of absence.'

Of the 11,778 leave applications submitted by the previous day, 44 were approved. Excluding duplicate counts, it is estimated that about 11,000 medical students are participating in the 'collective leave of absence.'

Even if leave is not approved, some students are collectively refusing classes and practical training, which may lead to a 'failing crisis' or disrupt the academic schedule. The Ministry of Education explained that 10 medical schools were confirmed to have class refusals the previous day, and those universities are continuing efforts to maintain normal academic operations through student counseling and explanations.

In 2020, medical students also conducted a collective leave of absence in protest against the increase in medical school quotas, but since it was early in the semester and students returned after 38 days, a large-scale failing crisis did not occur. At that time, some universities adjusted the academic schedule by extending the semester so that students could meet the required number of class days to advance.

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