South Korea’s med schools set to hold thousands of students back

SEOUL – Medical education in South Korea is facing an unprecedented situation as schools across the country confirm that masses of medical students will have to repeat courses if they wish to continue their studies. The Ministry of Education has made it clear: students who missed the April 30 deadline and will therefore be subject to academic retention or expulsion will not be granted a second chance.

By Wednesday, all medical schools are required to submit detailed reports to the Education Ministry, including the number of students held back or expelled, the dates of academic review meetings and their plans for managing the new academic year. This follows a monthslong standoff over the government’s now-frozen plan to expand medical school enrollment, which many students protested by refusing to attend class.

As of the end of April, the rate of medical students returning to class remained at just 26 percent.

Already, five schools have issued expulsion notices to a combined 1,916 students who missed more than a month of classes. These included Soonchunhyang University (606 students), Eulji University (299), Inje University (557), CHA University’s graduate medical program (190) and Konyang University (264). Education officials warn that academic retention could affect up to 70 percent of students.

Education Minister and acting President Lee Ju-ho issued a firm message to students on Monday, stating, “Universities must finalize their retention and expulsion decisions by May 7 and proceed according to principle. Once confirmed, these decisions will not be reversed or canceled.”

Lee’s message came amid rumors circulating among students that universities would not enforce widespread retentions or that future policy adjustments might allow them to return later. “There will be no further academic flexibility,” Lee stressed. “Students still hesitating should not gamble their futures on unverified rumors.”

As medical schools operate on a yearly academic structure, students who are held back will only be eligible to return in 2026. That means first-year students from the 2024, 2025 and 2026 academic years will take first-year courses simultaneously. Though the government had sought to avoid such a scenario, known as “tripling,” it is now preparing to manage it.

Several universities, including Dong-A University and Jeonbuk National University, have already amended their academic rules to prioritize course registration for incoming freshmen.

The government is also considering easing regulations to allow more transfer students to fill any gaps left by expelled students. However, officials have emphasized that such replacements will only be made within the scope of confirmed vacancies, not to accommodate those who forfeited their place.

Adding further pressure, the Korean National Police Agency has announced a zero-tolerance policy against individuals or groups obstructing students from returning to class. “We strongly warn against organized actions that interfere with students’ right to study,” the agency said in a statement, vowing stern legal action.

Police are currently investigating 10 incidents related to coercion or online harassment aimed at students who returned to class. Two suspects have already been referred to prosecutors, and five others are under active investigation.

Authorities are particularly targeting actions such as publishing lists of returnees, pressuring classmates to continue the boycott, or organizing group statements rejecting attendance.

The police also noted that some student councils held unauthorized meetings to dissuade classmates from resuming their studies and drafted statements pledging to continue the boycott. “We will pursue those behind these illegal acts and seek arrest warrants if necessary,” the agency said.

As the May 7 deadline looms, the government is taking a hardline stance. Education Minister Lee stated that students who have already returned should “trust the government and their universities and focus on their studies,” while reiterating that those who remain absent will not be given another opportunity.

The full scope of academic retentions and expulsions is expected to be made public after May 9.