More than 45% of Medical Students Take Authorized Leave... 230 Applied Yesterday

Cumulative Valid Leave of Absence Applications, 8,590 Cases

It has been revealed that medical students who submitted valid leave of absence applications in protest against the government's policy to increase the number of medical school admissions have exceeded 45% of the total.

According to the Ministry of Education on the 21st, a survey conducted on 40 medical schools nationwide showed that the number of 'valid leave of absence applications' submitted in one day yesterday was 230 cases from 5 schools. One student withdrew a previously submitted leave of absence application.

Accordingly, the cumulative number of valid leave of absence applications reached 8,590. This corresponds to about 45.7% of the 18,793 medical students enrolled nationwide as of April last year.

A medical school in Seoul on the 20th, when the results of the increased medical school admission quota distribution, which triggered conflicts between the medical community and the government, were announced. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

A valid leave of absence application is one submitted following the procedures stipulated in the school regulations, such as parental consent and department head signature. Recently, the number of valid leave of absence applications has consistently recorded triple digits: ▲771 on the 14th ▲777 from the 15th to 17th ▲257 on the 18th ▲512 on the 19th.

The Ministry of Education's position is that even if the formal requirements are met, "allied leave of absence is not a valid reason for leave and should not be approved." The Ministry explained that no leave of absence has been approved as allied leave so far.

Eight universities were confirmed to have class boycotts yesterday. The Ministry of Education stated that these schools are making efforts to maintain normal academic operations through student counseling and explanations.

The medical and educational sectors are concerned that if medical students continue to boycott classes, there may be collective grade retention among the students. According to most medical school regulations, if a student is absent for one-third or one-fourth or more of the class days, they receive an F grade, and receiving an F grade in even one subject results in grade retention.

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