Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho bows after announcing next year’s medical school admissions quota at the Government Complex in Seoul on April 17. Reporter Lee Jun-heon

The government has decided to revert next year’s medical school admissions quota to 3,058 students, the same number as before the recent increase. This comes just one year after 1,509 additional students were admitted under a policy to expand medical school enrollment. While the government described the move as an unavoidable decision to normalize medical education, it is now facing criticism for effectively surrendering its earlier stance, even withdrawing its previous condition that required “all medical students to return to class.”

The Ministry of Education announced on April 17, “We have decided to accept the recommendation to revert the medical school admissions quota to 3,058 students, respecting the opinions of university presidents and medical school deans.”

Previously, on March 7, the ministry announced that the medical school admissions for the 2026 academic year would return to 3,058 students, on the condition that all medical students resume attending classes. However, as of April 16, only 25.9 percent of the 19,760 enrolled students across 40 medical schools nationwide returned. A ministry official said, “The schedule for next year’s college entrance examination must be finalized by April 30, and the third- and fourth-year students are nearing the time when they may be held back academically, so we believe we can no longer delay this decision.” The official added, “We hope today’s announcement will encourage hesitant students to return.” However, the ministry made it clear that there will be no academic leniency, such as postponement of academic probation, for students who continue to boycott classes.

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) issued a statement saying, “Though belated, this marks a step toward returning to normalcy,” and criticized the previous expansion policy saying, “It was flawed, baseless, and failed to consider education conditions.”

On the other hand, patient groups and civic organizations condemned the decision, accusing the government of once again yielding to the collective self-interest of doctors. The Korea Alliance of Patients Organization said in a statement, “This confirms the medical community’s claim that the government cannot win against doctors.” It added, “For the past 14 months, the public and patients have supported the government’s plan to increase the number of doctors and reform the healthcare system, even as it consumed massive amounts of health insurance funds and tax revenue. To now see the government abandon the expansion policy is devastating.” The Korea Severe Disease Association also condemned the decision, saying, “The reset of next year’s medical school admissions quota is a fraud against the public” and demanded the announcement be retracted. The Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union warned, “This freeze on medical school admissions won’t just be a one-time event for the 2026 academic year,” and predicted, “There will be growing demands not only to maintain the freeze but to reduce quotas under the pretext of the strained educational environment due to academic delays of medical students.”