South Korea medical students end 17-month boycott of classes
South Korea medical students end 17-month boycott of classes
South Korea medical students end 17-month boycott of classes
After a long 17-month boycott, thousands of South Korean medical students are preparing to return to their classes, according to the Korean Medical Association. The boycott began when students and trainee doctors walked out in protest against a government plan to increase the number of students admitted to medical schools each year. The government wanted to raise the number from about 3,000 to 5,000, saying that more doctors were needed to meet the country’s healthcare demands. However, the students and many doctors argued that this would lower the quality of medical education and training.
The Korean Medical Association has not given a specific date for when the students will return, but they have asked the government to restore the academic calendar and improve the conditions for medical training. Prime Minister Kim Min-Seok welcomed the end of the boycott, calling it a significant step forward. He encouraged everyone involved in the medical field, including the government and the public, to work together to solve ongoing problems. In a statement, the Korean Medical Association said they would trust the government and parliament and were committed to returning to school to help normalize medical education and the healthcare system.
Despite the students’ decision to return, many junior doctors are still on strike, protesting against their working conditions. This ongoing strike has caused disruptions in hospitals, with some surgeries being delayed and patients being turned away. According to the education ministry, more than 8,000 students will have to repeat the same academic year because of the time they missed during the boycott. The protests and strikes have highlighted the challenges facing South Korea’s healthcare system, including disagreements over how to train and support new doctors. The government had already decided in March 2025 to pause its plan to increase medical school admissions, but the debate over the best way to improve healthcare in the country continues.
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