South Korea Expands Medical School Quotas to Address Regional Healthcare Disparities

South Korea is increasing the number of medical school admissions to alleviate a critical shortage of doctors, particularly in regional areas. The Ministry of Education announced plans on March 13, 2026, to allocate an additional 490 seats for the 2027 academic year, increasing to 613 additional seats annually from 2028-2031. This initiative aims to bolster the Regional Doctor Program and address significant disparities in healthcare access across the country.

Addressing Regional Imbalances

A key driver behind this expansion is the stark difference in doctor-to-population ratios between Seoul and other regions. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Seoul boasts 3.4 doctors per 1,000 people, while areas like Gyeongbuk and South Chungcheong have ratios of 1.4 and 1.5 respectively . This imbalance leads to challenges in accessing timely medical care in regional areas, with patients facing difficulties finding hospitals, and closures of essential departments like obstetrics, gynecology, and pediatrics.

Enrollment Increases by University

Kangwon National University and Chungbuk National University will see the largest increases in medical school seats, with each receiving 39 additional students for the 2027 academic year, expanding enrollment from 49 to 88 . From 2028, these universities will gain an additional 49 seats, bringing total enrollment to 98. Other universities benefiting from increased quotas include Chonnam National University and Pusan National University (31 seats each), Chungnam National University (27 seats), and Kyungpook National University (26 seats). Metropolitan area medical schools will see more modest increases, such as Sungkyunkwan University (3 seats), Ajou University (6 seats), and Inha University (6 seats).

The Regional Doctor Program

All new seats will be filled through the Regional Doctor Program, which specifically targets applicants who graduated from middle and high schools in the region where the medical school is located . Participants in this program are required to obtain a medical license and practice in their respective region for at least 10 years, ensuring a long-term commitment to addressing local healthcare needs.

Concerns and Future Considerations

While the expansion is seen as a crucial step towards revitalizing regional medical care, concerns have been raised regarding the capacity of medical schools to accommodate the increased enrollment without compromising educational quality. The government has pledged to provide sufficient resources to support the expansion, including increased funding for facilities and equipment . Experts emphasize the require to address systemic issues within the healthcare system, such as low reimbursement rates for essential medical services and the heavy judicial burden on physicians, to create a sustainable and attractive environment for doctors to practice in regional areas.

2027 Medical School Admission Quota

The total medical school admission quota for the 2027 academic year has been confirmed at 3,548, representing an increase of 490 from the 2024 academic year .