Medical Student Privilege Controversy, Admission Expert Says "Fundamental Relief Should Not Be Allowed"

An admission expert has raised strong criticism regarding the current government's handling of medical students.

In the opening talk of the YouTube channel MimiMiNu's "All About Admissions," held on the 10th, Yoon Do-young, the head of an admission academy in Daechi-dong, shared his personal views on the return of medical students.

Yoon explained the situation from last year’s collective leave of absence by medical students to the "full return" declaration in mid-July this year, pointing out that, in situations where repeating a year was unavoidable according to school regulations, the Ministry of Education demanded changes to the regulations for the quick graduation of medical students.

In particular, Yoon criticized, "It's been about two months since the new government took office, and in many respects, they show a much better appearance than the previous government. However, when it comes to handling medical students, they are actually retreating further than the last government."

Moreover, he stated, “If engineering students made the same demand and were accommodated, it wouldn’t be a privilege,” asserting that making exceptions solely for medical students is a clear privilege.

Yoon emphasized, "What I want to say is just one thing: Do not give privileges to medical students," stating, "If the regulations say they must repeat a year, then they should repeat it. If the situation requires expulsion, then they should be expelled."

Responsibility for 'School Violence within Universities' Lies with the Ministry of Education

On this day, Yoon also addressed the issue of school violence among medical students. He remarked, "No one is talking about this, but the most serious issue is the study violence among medical students. This is the most severe problem, yet no one speaks about it."

He criticized, saying, "If someone is bullied at work, they are punished under the Labor Standards Act. However, the blind spot is exactly the university."

Yoon pointed out that "medical students are preparing to bully those who returned first," arguing that the failure to punish school violence within universities is a dereliction of duty by the Ministry of Education.

"Did They Go to Medical School to Save Lives?"

Yoon discussed the motivations behind students’ applications to medical schools, saying, "Students who applied through the regular admission process scored high enough to enter engineering at Seoul National University. Did they go to medical school to save lives?" He concluded, "Currently, medical students are individuals who have chosen money through their actions, not just words."

Yoon also cited a post made by President Lee Jae-myung during his time as the governor of Gyeonggi Province when medical students rejected the national medical exam in 2020. He mentioned the post, in which President Lee stated, "The relief of medical students who refuse the medical examination should not be fundamentally allowed. It sends a wrong signal that if one has power, they can receive any privileges or exceptions, which ultimately allows a privileged class prohibited by the constitution." He then asked, "What has changed from five years ago?"

"Medical Students Are Not the Top 1% Elites"

Furthermore, Yoon commented, "The misconception among the public is that medical students are elites," asserting that "only those who entered through the regular admission process are elites. If you are in this industry, you can tell which medical school someone entered and what method they used. Out of 4,500 students in 2025, only about 1,000 will come from the regular admission process. Medical students are absolutely not the top 1% elite."

Meanwhile, the 'Recruitment of Residents for the Second Half of the Year,' aimed at residents who had left hospitals in protest against the 'increase in medical student admissions,' began on the 10th.

As they prepare for a return to hospitals after a year and a half, concerns are rising about various issues, including conflicts between professors, residents, those who returned first, and newly returning residents, as well as the confrontation between residents and PA (Physician Assistant) nurses over work scope.

YouTube 'MimiMiNu'

Image source: youtube 'MimiMiNu', a classroom in a medical school in Gyeonggi Province / News1, medical staff moving in a hospital in downtown Seoul / News1, reference photos for understanding the article / News1