On 21st, it was reported that about half of the medical students from Yonsei University, Korea University, and Kyungpook National University who completed their readmission applications have returned. However, if the existing government policy remains in effect, there is a high possibility that the remaining half of the medical students who have not returned will be expelled. With the deadline for medical student readmission applications approaching this week, senior doctors have said they will take a strong response if expulsion becomes a reality.
According to the medical community on the 24th, the readmission deadline for medical students officially begins this week, starting with three medical schools last week. Jeju National University and Konyang University set their readmission dates for the 24th, while Seoul National University, Ewha Womans University, Pusan National University, and Yeungnam University aim for the 27th. Eulji University has set the 30th, and Ajou University, Chungbuk National University, Hanyang University, Dankook University, Chosun University of Science and Technology, Catholic Kwandong University, and Konkuk University are set for the 31st. Most other medical schools are aiming for a readmission date of the 28th.
The government stated on the 7th that it would revert the number of medical admissions for next year to 3,058, based on the premise of 'full return' of medical students. However, if not all medical students return, the government will select medical students reflecting this year's increased admission quota. Last year, the government took a step back while medical students left school and have not yet returned, but this year, some students are choosing to return in response to the government's firm stance, which disrupts the 'united front' of medical students.
If there are no significant changes in the positions of universities and the government, a large-scale expulsion of medical students is expected to materialize. According to the education sector, Yonsei University plans to send 'expulsion notices' to students who did not register by the readmission deadline on the 21st and will proceed with expulsions on the 28th. While it has not yet been confirmed whether Korea University and Kyungpook National University will send expulsion notices, given the government's firm stance, the likelihood of sequential expulsions is high.
However, organizations within the medical community, including the Korean Medical Association and the Korean Association of Medical Doctors, along with some medical professors' associations, have stated that they will support medical students and will take action if expulsions begin. They have raised the level of their response, even mentioning the possibility of a strike. Particularly, since the Korean Medical Association and the Korean Association of Medical Doctors are centered around the clinics, if they choose to strike, it may have a larger impact than the departure of residents.
Kim Seong-kun, the spokesperson for the Korean Medical Association, said, 'The professors’ sections are organizing the details of the struggle, and there are multiple options for other sections to fight,' adding, 'Short-term actions involve considering strikes, work slowdowns, protests, and rallies.'
In fact, the Korean Medical Association considered a general strike card last June during the previous administration. Although the strike did not materialize due to internal opposition within the organization at the time, forecasts suggest that the situation could change if medical students are expelled.
A source in the medical community said, 'If the large-scale expulsion of medical students becomes a reality and frontline medical staff begin to take action, the situation could spiral out of control,' adding, 'However, the likelihood of a strong response like a strike from the clinics is not high, but it’s not entirely unrealistic either.'
Some in the medical community also suggest that it would be practically difficult for the government to expel medical students. The reason that the government does not allow medical students to take leaves of absence is that such absences would be deemed invalid due to 'collective action.' However, with some medical students returning, the question arises whether their actions can still be classified as collective action. In fact, the Korean Medical Student Association stated that 'the leave applications from medical students have been submitted legally' and added that 'if actual expulsions occur, we will not hesitate to take legal action.'
This source noted, 'If a lawsuit occurs later and it is determined that the expulsions of medical students were inappropriate, the confusion will be incomparable to any previous situation,' adding that 'many around expect the government to ultimately extend leaves of absence as it did last year or to provide relief measures for expelled students in the future.'