Discussion on 'Measures to Prevent Group Failing of Medical Students'... University Presidents Form Consultative Body

University Presidents Gather for First Time to Discuss Measures
Risk of Failing Grades May Begin as Early as June
President Hong Won-hwa "Struggling to Solve the Problem"

As medical students continue their collective leave of absence in protest against the increase in medical school quotas, university presidents will meet for the first time on the 4th to discuss countermeasures.

According to the education sector on the 3rd, presidents of 23 universities that received increased medical school quotas decided to hold a video conference at 4 p.m. on the 4th to discuss ways to bring medical students back. It is understood that the Ministry of Education will not be involved in the meeting. Hong Won-hwa, president of Kyungpook National University, who led the meeting, said, "Regardless of whether they are national or private, we want to have an open and honest discussion. This is not a political act but a desperate attempt to solve the problem," adding, "We are still recruiting presidents, so the actual number of participating schools may increase tomorrow."

Currently, universities with increased medical school quotas have announced their 2025 academic year admission plans on their respective websites. However, medical students are still refusing to attend classes and have not returned to their studies.

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@

Accordingly, university presidents will gather to discuss plans for medical students' return as well as measures regarding grade retention and leaves of absence. The plan is to start with 23 universities and expand the consultative body to include presidents of all 40 medical schools nationwide.

According to the Ministry of Education, as of this date, 39 out of 40 medical schools have resumed classes. However, since not many students have returned to class, normal class operations are not being maintained. In response, universities are applying their own academic management measures, such as temporarily postponing grade retention criteria and switching to curriculum operation by academic year, to delay grade retention. Some in the university community predict that collective grade retention may be unavoidable as early as June.

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