Lee Ju-ho also asks Gachon University to "Join forces for medical students' return"

Ministry of Education Takes Initiative by Visiting Universities
Jeonui Gyohyeop Discusses Response Strategies in 2nd Closed Meeting
Medical School Emergency Committee to Decide on Professors' Resignations on 15th

On the 14th, which medical school professors nationwide set as the last line to avoid collective failure of medical students, the Ministry of Education visited each university to initiate efforts for resolution. However, as the government maintains its stance on the 'increase of 2,000 student quotas' and doctors, professors, and students oppose it, the level of conflict is intensifying without any narrowing of differences.

On the 14th, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, visited Gachon University located in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, and held a meeting with about 10 university officials including the president and dean of the medical school. Deputy Prime Minister Lee stated, "In a situation where confusion is prolonged, it is crucial for university officials to make efforts so that our students can return to their places without suffering harm and focus on their studies. Please join forces and wisdom together." He requested universities to encourage students to return to classes for normal academic operations.

The day before, Deputy Prime Minister Lee also visited Jeonbuk National University and emphasized that universities must actively play a role in ensuring students return to classes. However, he reiterated that the medical students' collective leave of absence cannot be considered a legitimate reason for leave. He also earnestly asked medical school professors to "stay by the side of students and patients."

On the 19th, as concerns over a medical crisis grew with resident doctors at five major domestic hospitals submitting collective resignation letters, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, attended an emergency video conference at the Government Seoul Office with presidents of 40 universities that have medical schools. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Representatives of the Emergency Response Committee of the Council of Professors from 19 medical schools nationwide formed a joint emergency committee on the night of the 12th and decided to determine on the 15th whether professors would resign. The National Council of Medical School Professors, which consists of 33 medical school professor councils nationwide, also held a second closed meeting on this day following the one on the 9th to discuss response directions regarding the collective leave of absence of medical students and collective actions of residents. Previously, they had reached a consensus that "for medical students who submitted leave of absence forms, the 14th is the last line to avoid collective failure."

The resistance stance of medical students is also growing stronger. The Korean Medical Students Association (KMSA), representing student councils from 40 medical schools nationwide, rejected the Ministry of Education's proposal for dialogue the day before. The Ministry of Education stated that the deadline for a response, which was 6 p.m. the previous day, passed without a reply. On the other hand, KMSA representatives said they had not received official contact directly from the Ministry of Education and expressed their intention to respond using all means, including legal review.

On the same day, 83 first-year students of the medical school at Hallym University reportedly received a notice from a head professor of the Department of Neuroanatomy stating, "According to school regulations, this is an FA failure due to insufficient attendance." The school plans to prevent the situation from escalating to actual failure by preparing relief measures such as adjusting the academic schedule and supplementary classes, although it corresponds to collective failure under school regulations.

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