Ministry of Education: "Not Much Time Left Until Collective Paid Leave... Cannot Disclose the 'Deadline'" (Comprehensive)

39 out of 40 Locations Resume or Plan Classes
In-Person and Online Classes Combined Amid Class Refusals
Medical Student Association "Still Firm in Position"
Ministry of Education "Class Quality Does Not Decline"

Most of the 40 medical schools nationwide, which had postponed classes due to collective actions by medical students protesting the 'increase in medical school quotas,' will resume classes within this month. However, a significant number of medical students still have not returned to classes and continue to express their opposition. In response, the Ministry of Education stated that there is little time left before collective failure to advance, but they will do their best to prevent such situations from occurring.

Ministry of Education: "16 Universities Resume Classes"

On the 9th, Oh Seok-hwan, Vice Minister of Education, held an emergency briefing on the operation and resumption of classes at 40 medical schools nationwide in April at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

On the morning of the 9th, the Ministry of Education announced the status of medical school class operations and resumptions at the Government Seoul Office, urging universities to make efforts for normal academic operations. At the briefing, Oh Seok-hwan, Deputy Minister of Education, said, "Despite many difficulties on university campuses, I thank the university officials who have worked hard to normalize academic operations so that students' right to learn is not infringed."

As of the previous day, the Ministry of Education reported that 16 universities are currently operating classes, and 23 universities plan to resume classes. The status of class resumption at Soonchunhyang University is unknown. The universities currently operating classes are ▲Gachon University ▲Kyungpook National University ▲Kyung Hee University ▲Korea University ▲Dongguk University (branch) ▲Seoul National University ▲Yonsei University ▲Yeungnam University ▲Ewha Womans University ▲Inje University ▲Chonbuk National University ▲Jeju National University ▲Chungnam National University ▲Chungbuk National University ▲Hallym University ▲Hanyang University, totaling 16 institutions. This includes cases where at least one grade from the 2nd year of pre-medical to medical school classes is in operation, while most 3rd and 4th-year medical students have their practical classes suspended or postponed. Classes are being conducted through a mix of face-to-face, online, and video lectures.

Additionally, from the 15th, 16 universities including ▲Catholic Kwandong University ▲Catholic University ▲Konkuk University (branch) ▲Konyang University ▲Gyeongsang National University ▲Keimyung University ▲Dankook University (Cheonan) ▲Daegu Catholic University ▲Dong-A University ▲Pusan National University ▲Sungkyunkwan University ▲Yonsei University (branch) ▲Ulsan University ▲Wonkwang University ▲Chonnam National University ▲Chosun University will resume classes. From the 22nd, 5 universities including ▲Kangwon National University ▲Kosin University ▲Ajou University ▲Eulji University ▲CHA University of Medicine will open classes, and from the 29th, 2 universities including ▲Inha University ▲Chung-Ang University will hold classes.

Although universities have repeatedly suspended classes since February to prevent students from failing, they appear to have decided to resume classes as the deadline to meet the legally required number of class days approaches. The Enforcement Decree of the Higher Education Act stipulates that school class days must be 'at least 30 weeks per academic year,' meaning that typically more than 15 weeks of classes per semester must be secured. Moreover, further delays in resuming classes could disrupt the academic schedule for the second semester starting in August. Therefore, universities are setting mid to late this month as the final deadline for the start of classes.

Students Still 'Refusing Classes'

Photo by Younghan Heo younghan@

However, there has been no change in the stance of medical students refusing to attend classes. The Korean Medical School and Medical Graduate Student Association (KMSA) stated on the day, "Administrative resumption of classes and students' actual attendance are different," adding, "Students still maintain a firm position." It is reported that even at universities that have resumed classes, a significant number of students have not returned. As of the previous day, the number of valid leave of absence applications from 40 medical schools was 2 students from 2 schools, with a cumulative total of 10,377 applications (55.2% of enrolled students).

The Ministry of Education also explained that many of the resumed classes include first-year pre-medical courses, which have a high proportion of liberal arts classes. Deputy Minister Oh said, "Still, major courses for first-year pre-medical students are not being conducted at 15 universities. We request active efforts from each university to promptly resume classes."

If students do not return to classes after the suspension ends, they may face consequences such as failing the year. Most medical schools' regulations stipulate that students who are absent for one-third or one-quarter of the class days receive an F grade. Medical students who receive an F grade in even one subject are held back for one year.

Ministry of Education: "No Approval for Leave of Absence... Quality of Classes Not Declining"

On the 9th, Oh Seok-hwan, Vice Minister of Education, attended an emergency briefing on the operation and resumption of classes at 40 medical schools nationwide in April at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and answered reporters' questions. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

At the press conference, many questions were raised about the incomplete normalization of classes. In response to a reporter's question asking, "Since it is difficult to say that medical school classes have fully normalized, if students do not return by the end of this month, is there any intention to approve some 'alliance leaves of absence'?" Deputy Minister Oh replied, "No," adding, "The process of applying for and approving leaves of absence is strictly managed. It is operated reflecting the intent of the law."

Regarding the normalization of classes, he explained, "The Ministry of Education has made every effort to prevent such difficulties for our children. Among the roles of the Ministry as the Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs, one of the most important is the effort to ensure the normal return of our medical students to classes."

When asked about the 'deadline for collective failure to advance,' he said, "Given the current situation, there is not much time left," but avoided a definitive answer by adding, "The timing of failure to advance varies greatly depending on each university's circumstances. It cannot be uniformly said to be in May." Deputy Minister Oh reiterated, "We will do our best to prevent collective failure to advance."

Regarding actual class attendance rates and plans to resume practical classes, he explained that universities are managing academic schedules according to their circumstances and conditions. He added that they would discuss with universities whether it is possible to share more detailed information later.

Questions about concerns over the decline in class quality due to online classes continued. Deputy Minister Oh responded, "Classes are being conducted using various methods, not the traditional ones of the past," and said, "It cannot be simply judged that quality declines just because classes are downloaded and watched." He also stated that the government would support and supplement as needed.

Regarding communication with medical students, he said that no official meetings have taken place but expressed willingness to meet at any time.

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