Kim Dong-won, president of Korea University, stated on the 14th that he would notify 125 students in the 3rd and 4th years of the School of Medicine who failed to fulfill the required number of class days that they would be retained.
During a press conference held in the Choi Jong-hyun Hall of the SK Future Hall at Korea University's Anam Campus in Seongbuk District, Kim noted, "The fundamental principle is to proceed according to basic school policies and consider fairness with other students."
Son Ho-seong, director of the Office of Medical Planning, explained, "The matter of medical students is delegated to the deans of the medical school, and the deans are in a position to handle it according to principles, so I understand that they will be retained," adding, "We will hold a full faculty meeting tonight and expect a final decision then."
According to Korea University, those subject to retention include 84 3rd-year students and 41 4th-year students who did not participate in practical classes after the start of the first semester of the 2025 school year, totaling 125 students. Korea University states that students who do not attend more than one-third of class days will be subject to retention.
Even if a significant number of medical students are retained, it seems difficult to fill the vacancies with transfer students. Director Son stated, "It is physically difficult to accept transfers for 3rd and 4th-year students as they are engaged in clinical practice," adding, "If we were to accept transfer students, it would likely only be for the 1st-year students."
President Kim noted regarding the conflicts that arose last year when the government increased the number of medical school admissions by 2,000 students, "I believe we are in the final stages. I will adhere to the principle of protecting students as much as possible and nurturing them."
Concerning the ongoing refusal of some medical students to attend classes, he remarked, "From what I've heard, they seem to feel disappointed about the trust (with the school)," adding, "If we build trust through dialogue, I believe it will be concluded smoothly."
Korea University increased its undergraduate tuition for the 2025 school year by 5.0% compared to the previous year. The freeze that had been in place since 2010 was broken for the first time in 16 years. Other universities, including Yonsei University (4.98%), Sogang University (4.85%), Sungkyunkwan University (4.9%), and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (5.0%), also raised undergraduate tuition.
In response to questions about plans to raise tuition, President Kim said, "Just because the school wants to does not mean it will happen; a tuition review committee (degal committee) must be convened for discussions," adding, "Due to the limitation of a 5% increase based on inflation rates, it's difficult to raise significantly, and decisions must be made annually in consultation with students."