More than five-thousand-400 medical students have applied for a leave of absence in apparent protest of the government's planned increase of medical school admissions quota.

According to the education ministry, as of Wednesday, five-thousand-425 applications were submitted in accordance with related procedures, which means 28-point-nine percent of medical students nationwide have applied.

Taking to account invalid applications missing signatures from professors or parents, 13-thousand-698 applications were submitted as of February 28. None of the applications deemed part of students' collective action have been approved.

As of Wednesday, classes were suspended at eight medical schools, sparking concerns over students' collective failed grades amid the protracted group action.

Many schools have postponed the start of the spring term from February to March, as students who miss more than a quarter or over a third of classes are likely to fail at most institutions.