The government is monitoring the return status of medical students and is weighing recruitment numbers until the last moment. Previously, the government stated that if medical students return to the point where normal classes can be conducted, they will revert the recruitment numbers for the 2026 academic year to the original (3,058). However, the government is contemplating whether to freeze or increase the quotas due to the absence of returning medical students from classes.
The government plans to confirm and announce the recruitment numbers for 40 medical colleges nationwide for the 2026 academic year by next week at the latest, as noted on the 14th. Previously, the government stated that if medical students do not return, the recruitment number will be set at the existing quota increased by 2,000 (5,058).
A Ministry of Education official said, "We predict that we will decide on the medical college recruitment numbers by next week at the latest, based on the current status of medical students returning," and added, "It has not yet been determined whether to set the recruitment numbers at 3,058 (or beyond)."
According to education and medical sectors, most medical students registered in the first semester to avoid dismissal. However, students from major medical colleges such as Korea University, Yonsei University, Sungkyunkwan University, Catholic University, Kyunghee University, and Ulsan University continue to stage protests against attending classes. Typically, if a medical student is absent for more than one-third or one-fourth of the total class days, they receive an F grade and are held back.
On this day, Korea University held a faculty meeting and announced it would notify over 120 medical students who are not attending classes of their failure. Korea University President Kim Dong-won stated, "I believe the conflict regarding medical affairs is nearing its resolution," while adding, "It's important to protect students as much as possible, but it can't be helped due to government policy."
Yonsei University will finalize the failure of medical students this week. Ajou University, Inha University, and Chonnam National University are also reviewing whether to fail medical students who are refusing class.
The government plans to finalize the recruitment numbers for medical colleges for next year after observing the movements of medical students. A Ministry of Education official stated, "Even if medical students register for the first semester, if they do not attend classes, it will be judged that they have not returned," while noting, "It has not yet been determined how many students will be considered as having returned to classes."
An official from a university noted, "There is a sharp divide in reactions within universities regarding the recruitment numbers for medical students." Most deans of medical colleges believe that the existing quota of 3,058 should be maintained, but the university headquarters seems to find a certain pleasure in increasing recruitment numbers amid a declining school-age population.
In fact, the Korean Council on Medical Education (KCME) has urged that the recruitment numbers for medical colleges be quickly confirmed at 3,058 to encourage student participation in classes. Conversely, some university presidents expressed that it should not be the case to freeze recruitment numbers as student participation is low. The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that the recruitment numbers for medical colleges are a matter to be discussed with the Ministry of Education.
Once the government confirms the recruitment numbers for medical colleges, each university must submit its admission plans reflecting the 2026 medical college recruitment numbers to the Korean Council for University Education (KCUE) by the 30th. Subsequently, each university must receive approval from the KCUE and post the admission guidelines on their website next month. The admissions process for overseas Koreans is expected to start around July, while the regular admissions process is anticipated to begin around September.