Ministry of Education approves medical students to take a leave of absence as condition of returning to school next year

The Ministry of Education has decided to conditionally approve the leave of absence of medical students who are not returning.

Deputy Prime Minister and Education Minister Lee Ju-ho said at a briefing held at the Seoul Government Complex today (6th) that he would approve medical students' leave of absence on the premise that they return to school in time for the start of the 2025 academic year.

Deputy Prime Minister Lee stressed, however, that the principle of not approving alliance leave of absence due to legislative conflicts remains unchanged, and that students should explain the reason for taking a leave of absence that meets the school regulations.

He also instructed each university to submit next year's curriculum operation plan to the Ministry of Education and come up with measures to protect new students such as course registration and division of priority.

In consultation with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the Ministry of Education said it will flexible the timing of selection of doctors' national examinations and majors, and also come up with measures to reduce the medical school curriculum from the current six years to up to five years.