The number of medical school enrollments in South Korea will increase by 490 in 2027, bringing the total to 3,548, with further increases planned for subsequent years.
The South Korean government has confirmed an increase in medical school enrollments starting in 2027, raising the total from 3,058 to 3,548 students, which is a rise of 490 students for that year alone. The increase is part of a broader plan to expand enrollments by an average of 668 students annually until 2031, with additional increments planned in subsequent years due to the establishment of new public medical schools and regional institutions.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare stated that the decision was made during a meeting of the Health Policy Review Committee, emphasizing the importance of maintaining quality education amid the influx of students from previous years. To ensure that new medical students can effectively engage with the educational system, especially amid the concerns of the existing student population, the ministry plans to prioritize the selection of regional applicants, who will receive financial support but are committed to a decade of service in their local areas after graduation.
The decision has stirred controversy within the medical community. The Korean Medical Association has expressed strong disapproval, warning that the government will bear responsibility for any resulting chaos in the healthcare sector. This tension highlights the ongoing debate in South Korea regarding healthcare quality, workforce distribution, and the implications of rapid enrollment expansion in medical education.
