In a recent development, Jang Sang-yoon, the social secretary to the president’s office, criticized Seoul National University for mass approving medical students’ alliance leave of absence, calling it “not the duty of educators.” He challenged the medical community’s demand for a reduction in medical school intake for the 2026 academic year, suggesting that if the government’s plan to increase medical student numbers by 2,000 is not feasible, the medical community should propose an alternative solution for reconsideration.
During an appearance on an SBS radio show, Jang condemned the blanket approval of leave of absence for 780 out of 800 students, questioning the feasibility of education if such a large number of students are absent. He emphasized the importance of encouraging students to return early and criticized the idea of normalizing students not returning after an approved leave of absence.
Jang also responded to the medical community’s demand for a guarantee of reduced intake in 2026 if the government does not withdraw its plan to increase intake in 2025. He suggested that the medical community present a new solution, which would be mutually calculated from scratch. Jang highlighted the readiness of the government’s proposed “Physician Manpower Supply Estimation Committee” to provide a fair calculation of medical student intake.
Overall, Jang Sang-yoon’s stance on the recent controversies surrounding medical education demonstrates a prioritization of dialogue and evidence-based decision-making to address the challenges in the medical education sector effectively.
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