Be confirmed to have 3,000 additional medical students
- Gyeonghyun Cho
- Apr 20
- 1 min read
April 20, 2025
Gyeonghyun Cho
The South Korean government predicts that 3,058 students will be enrolled in medical school in 2026, the same number as in 2024. This decision comes amid ongoing efforts to restore stability to medical education after months of conflict between the government and the medical community.
The freeze was requested by the Council of Medical School Presidents and the Korean Association of Medical Colleges. Both groups emphasized the importance of normalizing education over expanding class sizes.
Additionally, the Ministry of Education affirmed that there will never again be academic flexibility. According to school rules, absentee students may be subject to repercussions such as grade retention or academic probation.
Some critics contend that the government is postponing crucial healthcare reforms, like plans to address the doctor shortage, while academic leaders hailed the action as a necessary step.
