Kim Dong-won, President of Korea University, "Training Medical Talent Takes Priority Over Increasing Medical School Quotas"

94% of Medical School Students Take Leave of Absence

Kim Dong-won, President of Korea University, emphasized that the "increase of 0 students in Korea University College of Medicine" is because "the existing quota of 106 students in the medical school is an appropriate size," and stated, "Korea University College of Medicine aims to cultivate elite medical talents, so we are not interested in increasing the number quantitatively."

Kim Dong-won, President of Korea University, is holding a press conference on the morning of the 21st at Korea University Anam Campus in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, answering reporters' questions.
[Photo by Korea University]

On the morning of the 21st, President Kim held a press conference at the SK Future Hall on Korea University Anam Campus in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, and expressed this position regarding the government's increase and allocation of medical school quotas.

Regarding the scheduled resignation of medical school professors on the 25th, President Kim said, "We are urging dialogue and communication and trying to delay the cessation of medical activities by the professors," adding, "We are quietly communicating so that students, professors, and patients do not suffer any harm." However, he also expressed concern, saying, "However, with the government announcing the policy on the distribution of medical school quotas, there is no justification for the medical community to ease its response."

Furthermore, President Kim explained, "Although we are communicating with medical students and professors in various ways, if the current situation, where a deficit of 1 billion won per day occurs, continues, it will be financially difficult," and added, "We are closely monitoring the situation and preparing crisis response scenarios." He continued, "It is not yet at the stage where we need to increase overdraft accounts or request support from the foundation immediately, but if this situation continues, we may consider it."

Meanwhile, Korea University faces an unavoidable situation of group retention due to insufficient class days if medical students do not return to school by the end of this month. Regarding this, President Kim said, "94% of students, excluding first-year students, have submitted leave of absence applications," expressing concern that "if a collective retention situation occurs realistically, second, third, and fourth-year students will have to attend classes together for two academic years starting next year, which is expected to cause confusion in classes and practical training."

However, President Kim noted, "In the case of Korea University College of Medicine, the professor-to-student ratio is about 1 to 1.14, which is relatively favorable," and said, "Although I expect various administrative side effects, since there is nearly a year, we will make detailed plans to avoid any disruption."

Earlier, on the 20th, the government confirmed that it would increase the admission quota by 2,000 students for the "2025 medical school quota," but no additional quota was allocated to medical schools located in the Seoul area. Korea University had applied for an increase of 10 students.

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