Students return to 38 of 40 South Korean medical schools, with focus on class participation

Of the 40 medical universities and graduate schools in South Korea, 38 had completed their first semester registrations or applications for reinstatement by the deadline of the 31st. This was announced by medical and university officials.
The university is still accepting applications, but is expected to complete the process by midnight on the same day. The two universities where the return of students has not been confirmed are Inje University and Hallym University. Both universities are in a difficult situation to grasp the status of the return of students.
In response to the Korean government's announcement in February last year that it would increase the number of students admitted to medical schools, a series of mass dropouts have occurred, but medical education is now returning to normal after about a year.
The ministry said that the precondition for the return of all students to school by the end of this month is now more likely to be met. The Ministry of Education explained that "all students" does not mean 100%, but rather refers to a level at which normal classes can be conducted.
However, the government plans to place emphasis on the degree of actual participation in classes, rather than on whether students are registered or not, and the focus will be on whether students will attend lectures starting in April.
The Ministry of Education is expected to announce the number of medical school admissions spots for next academic year as early as next week, taking into account students' class participation rates.
If a large number of students take another leave of absence or miss classes after returning to school, the current admissions quota for next academic year will be maintained at 5,058.
"Payment of the registration fee is considered a return," Education Ministry spokesperson Koo Young-hee said at a regular press conference.
"It will take time to confirm actual class participation," he said.