Lee Ju-ho Urges Medical School Freshmen to Attend Classes... Strict Enforcement of School Rules for Absences

March 13, Meeting with Medical School Deans
"It Is Time to Normalize Medical Education"

Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, met with medical school deans on the 13th and urged them to actively work towards the return of students on leave, stating, "This year is the time to normalize medical education."

Yonhap News

At the medical school deans' meeting held at the Government Complex Sejong on the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Lee said, "If students continue not to return, it will delay their personal growth as medical professionals and disrupt the training of medical personnel. If students do not return this year as well, following last year, even if they wish to return later, depending on the educational conditions of each university, there may be difficulties in returning at the desired time."

He added, addressing the university presidents, "I hope you will actively communicate with the students and cooperate with all members, including professors and parents, to do your best to ensure that students can return."

He emphasized, "Especially for the freshmen of the 2025 academic year, who enrolled after the decision to increase admissions and thus have a larger number of students than other grades, most universities do not allow freshmen to take leaves of absence. I ask that this year's freshmen must participate in classes, and if they do not attend, strict measures should be taken according to university regulations."

He also requested strict responses to actions that hinder the normalization of academic affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister Lee said, "Recently, serious issues such as the distribution of lists of students who have returned to classes at some universities and the coercion of leaves of absence during freshmen orientation have occurred. Please actively protect the learning rights of students who have courageously decided to continue their studies." He added, "I ask each university to strictly apply university regulations so that students who wish to return or have returned to classes can focus on their studies without infringement of their learning rights."

He said, "Since most universities are scheduled to start classes in early March, I hope university administrations thoroughly check the preparation status for education and provide support to ensure there are no shortcomings. The government will also provide necessary administrative and financial support."

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