The Ministry of Education noted on the 23rd that it referred some student organizations from Korea University School of Medicine to the police for investigation on the 22nd for allegedly pressuring students applying for readmission online.
According to the Ministry of Education, some students belonging to a student organization at Korea University School of Medicine are suspected of posting a message demanding ‘real-name verification for unpaid tuition’ in an online chatroom where students had gathered on the 22nd. This case has reportedly been filed with the 'Student Protection and Reporting Center for Medical Schools' that day.
Korea University has informed that students who have taken a leave of absence must pay tuition by the 21st and submit readmission applications by the 26th to avoid grounds for expulsion. This was a response to the agreement made by the 'Presidents' Council for the Advancement of Medical Colleges' (Medical College Council), which represents the presidents of 40 universities with medical schools, to complete the processing of leave requests by the 21st.
As a result, it is reported that a considerable number of students who felt pressured have applied for readmission. The Ministry of Education claims that some students belonging to the student organization demanded verification of unpaid tuition online.
The Ministry of Education judged that such actions constitute an infringement of the academic rights of medical students by obstructing their return to class. A Ministry of Education official stated, “An individual's academic rights are constitutionally guaranteed personal rights that should not be infringed upon by others under any circumstances.”