Mass Failures Confirmed for Medical Students in South Korea

On May 7, 2025, the Ministry of Education concluded its investigation into the academic status of medical students across 40 universities, confirming that approximately 10,000 students will face collective failures. The ministry received lists of students at risk of failing or being expelled by midnight, asserting that there will be no reversal of these decisions. The total number of students affected will be disclosed as early as May 9.

As of April 17, the return rate of medical students to classes was only 25.9%. Initially, the Ministry and universities aimed to finalize the list of failures by April 30, but some institutions kept their doors open until the submission deadline to allow students to return. With additional students returning, the final return rate is expected to exceed 30%. Out of a total of 19,760 medical students, over 10,000 are now confirmed to have failed.

Students who have failed will face several disadvantages. Most medical schools have policies that expel students after failing two to four times, meaning many could be expelled if they fail again by next year. Additionally, these students will not receive refunds for their tuition. Next year, a significant issue known as 'triple enrollment' will arise, as students from the classes of 2024, 2025, and 2026 will all be attending classes simultaneously. Medical schools plan to prioritize course registration for the 2026 cohort, leaving the 2024 and 2025 students at a disadvantage, likely delaying their graduation.

Despite fears of a large-scale expulsion, this did not occur on the day of the announcement. Universities such as Soonchunhyang University, Inje University, Eulji University, Konyang University, and CHA University had previously notified 1,916 students of impending expulsion due to over a month of unexcused absences. However, many of these students returned to class on the day of the announcement, avoiding expulsion. Nonetheless, about 30 students from CHA University and 10 from Inje University did not return and were expelled.

Many medical students continue to refuse to attend classes, believing they can negotiate with the next government after the presidential election. Both Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party and Kim Moon-soo of the People Power Party urged students to return via social media the day before. In response, the Korean Medical School and Graduate School Student Association (의대협) issued a statement on May 7, declaring that their fight against medical reforms is not over.

Meanwhile, the government is reportedly considering allowing residents who resigned to return in May. Residents who have a training gap of more than three months cannot take the specialist exam. Since training began in March, those who do not return this month will miss the opportunity to take the exam next year. The government plans to recruit additional residents this month to facilitate their return.