Seoul, February 10, 2026 – South Korea is poised to significantly increase the number of medical school students, aiming to address healthcare disparities and bolster resources in underserved areas. The number of medical school slots for the 2027 academic year will reach 3,548, a jump of 490 students from the current 3,058.
Expanding Medical Education Capacity
The government plans to add over 3,300 medical school seats over the next five years, prioritizing doctors who will practice in local and essential medical fields.
- The increase will be phased in, with 490 additional slots in 2027, rising to 613 in subsequent years.
- By 2030 and 2031, the total increase will reach 813, including the establishment of new public medical schools.
- Newly admitted students will be selected as “local doctors,” receiving financial support and a 10-year commitment to practice in their communities.
- The total number of medical students will increase by an additional 3,342 over 5 years.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced the decision following the 7th meeting of the Health and Medical Policy Deliberation Committee held at the Seoul Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on February 10th. The plan calls for an average increase of 668 students annually from 2027 to 2031.
The expansion will see medical school seats climb to 3,548 in 2027, 3,671 in 2028 and 2029, and then increase by an additional 100 seats each in 2030 and 2031 with the creation of new public and regional medical schools. These new medical schools will select students through a competitive process, prioritizing candidates committed to practicing medicine in local areas, excluding those from Seoul. Students accepted into these programs will receive tuition support from both the national and local governments, with a mandatory 10-year service commitment in their designated region after completing their medical training.
Focus on Regional Healthcare
Minister of Health and Welfare Jeong Eun-kyung emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing healthcare imbalances. “Our goal was to train human resources to work in regional and essential medical fields,” she stated at a press conference. “All newly added personnel will be selected as local doctors. The government will take responsibility and support everything from medical school education to training and settlement in the region.”
However, the announcement has been met with resistance from the medical community. The Korean Medical Association issued a statement warning that the government will be “responsible for all confusion that occurs in the medical field in the future.”
