As the deadline for medical students to return, which the government announced, approaches at the end of March, some medical students from various universities are showing signs of returning. Most medical students at Seoul National University, Yonsei University, and Korea University have expressed their intent to return. However, there have been no significant changes in actions from other universities yet.
According to reports from universities on the 28th, it appears that all medical students at Seoul National University will register. Medical students at Seoul National University voted on the 26th and 27th regarding their protest methods, and more than half agreed to attend registration. Although the registration deadline at Yonsei University and Korea University was on the 21st, there is additional registration for undecided students available until the 28th, which is expected to result in most medical students registering.
The Seoul National University medical school task force conducted a vote from around 10 p.m. on the 26th until 8 a.m. on the 27th. Out of 607 respondents, 399 (65.7%) replied they favor registration. Meanwhile, 208 (34.3%) responded that they intend to continue their leave of absence. In response, the Seoul National University medical school task force requested students to submit their reinstatement applications and register for classes to complete the registration process. Essentially, the medical students at Seoul National University have decided to register.
Medical students at Yonsei University also decided to register to avoid expulsion. The Yonsei University medical student emergency response committee has decided to change their protest method from being undecided to 'register, then take a leave of absence' or 'register, then refuse classes.' At Korea University, it is reported that over 80% of students facing expulsion have completed their registration while continuing their reinstatement consultation applications. Although the registration deadline for medical students at Yonsei University and Korea University was on the 21st, they are accepting additional registration applications through student interviews.
As medical students at Seoul National University and Yonsei University shift their stance towards registration, the 'Korea Association of Medical Students' is attempting to continue protests excluding these students. The association is known to gather medical students from across the country and has recently led mass leave of absence among them.
The Korea Association of Medical Students stated, "There was some fluctuation among students at Seoul National University and Yonsei University," and asserted, "The remaining 38 units are still maintaining their status of being undecided, and there is no reason for us to have to tear our legitimate leave of absence applications ourselves." They also criticized Yonsei University, noting, "As delegates, we had the obligation to uphold fairness for all units, but they neglected the others for their own well-being."
As major university medical students continue to choose to return, it is expected that medical students from other universities nearing their registration deadlines will also feel pressured. The 28th is the registration deadline for 10 medical schools, including Catholic University, Catholic Kwandong University, Kangwon National University, and Kyunghee University. The deadlines for Eulji University are on the 30th, and on the 31st for Konkuk University, Keimyung University, and Dankook University.
However, there are concerns that even if the majority of medical students return, it may still be difficult to proceed with normal academic operations. This is because there is a possibility that students may take another leave of absence or refuse to attend classes after registering, continuing collective actions.
The government has stated that if normal academic operations can resume, it would reduce the number of medical student admissions next year to 3,058, which is before the increase. Since the return and implementation of classes by medical students are conditions for this, there remains room for controversy. The government plans to gather statistics on the actual return status of 40 medical students on the 31st to confirm the number of medical student admissions for next year.