South Korea expands regional medical school quotas outside Seoul for rural care (2027–2031)
The South Korean government unveiled on the 13th the regional medical school quota allocations for the 2027–2031 academic years. The plan expands quotas at 32 regional medical schools outside Seoul, with the nationwide total rising from 3,058 in 2024 to 3,548 in 2027 and to 3,671 for 2028–2031. The new allocation approach prioritizes local needs and will feed into the regional doctor program that governs where graduates practice.
In the Gangwon region, which has four medical schools, the combined quota increases from 267 (2024) to 330 in 2027 and 346 for 2028–2031. Catholic Kwandong University’s medical school goes from 49 to 55 in 2027 and to 57 in 2028–2031. Kangwon National University rises from 49 to 88 in 2027 and to 98 in 2028–2031. Yonsei University’s Future Campus grows from 93 to 104 in 2027 and to 107 in 2028–2031, while Hallym University moves from 76 to 83 in 2027 and to 84 in 2028–2031.
The Gyeonggi and Incheon region, with five medical schools, saw the total rise from 209 in 2024 to 233 in 2027 and 239 in 2028–2031. Gachon University’s quota grows to 47 in 2027 and 49 in 2028–2031; Sungkyunkwan University to 43 and then 44; Ajou University to 46 and 47; Inha University to 55 and 56; and Cha University of Medicine to 42 and 43.
In Chungbuk, two medical schools increased from a combined 89 in 2024 to 135 in 2027 and 147 in 2028–2031. Konkuk University Global Campus is slated for 40 in 2024, 47 in 2027, and 49 in 2028–2031; Chungbuk National University is set for 49 in 2024, 88 in 2027, and 98 in 2028–2031. This region is noted as contributing to the overall growth tied to the larger increases for Kangwon and Chungbuk.
The Daegu–Gyeongbuk region, with five medical schools, will see total quotas rise from 351 in 2024 to 423 in 2027 and 441 in 2028–2031. Kyungpook National University is planned at 136 in 2027 and 143 in 2028–2031; Keimyung University at 91 and 95; Daegu Catholic University at 53 and 56; Dongguk University WISE Campus at 54 and 55; and Yeungnam University at 89 and 92.
Daejeon and Chungnam will have five medical schools, with the total growing from 332 in 2024 to 404 in 2027 and 422 in 2028–2031. Konyang University is projected at 55 in 2027 and 57 in 2028–2031; Dankook University (Cheonan) at 55 and 58; Soonchunhyang University at 111 and 116; Eulji University at 46 and 48; and Chungnam National University at 137 and 143.
For Busan, Ulsan, and the Gyeongsangnam-do area, six medical schools will increase from 459 in 2024 to 556 in 2027 and 580 in 2028–2031. Gyeongsang National University is slated for 98 in 2027 and 104 in 2028–2031; Kosin University for 83 and 85; Dong-A University for 66 and 70; Pusan National University for 156 and 163; Ulsan National University at 45 and 46; and Inje University at 108 and 112.
In Jeonbuk, two medical schools will see the combined total rise from 235 in 2024 to 273 in 2027 and 283 in 2028–2031. Wonkwang University is planned for 110 in 2027 and 114 in 2028–2031, while Jeonbuk National University would reach 163 in 2027 and 169 in 2028–2031.
The Jeju region, with a single medical school, will grow from 40 in 2024 to 68 in 2027 and 75 in 2028–2031, all within Jeju National University’s allocation. The Education Ministry noted that the adjustments reflect a nationwide reallocation of seats and that regional medical quotas will apply to graduates under the regional doctor system.
The plan’s biggest increases occur at Kangwon National University and Chungbuk National University, each gaining 39 extra seats in 2027 compared with 2024, and 49 additional seats per year in 2028–2031. The allocations were prepared after a Health and Medical Policy Deliberation Committee decision to distribute the 2027 regional quotas to individual universities, considering local education capacity, small-school needs, and national priorities.
Education officials say the expanded quotas will be matched by targeted educational support. The Education Ministry will review universities’ input by March 24 and issue the formal quotas in March, with 2027 seat adjustments to take effect through the 2027 admissions cycle in May, pending college-by-college rule changes. The ministry also plans to establish regional doctor support centers to assist students with study, career planning, and clinical experiences across hospital and community settings, reinforcing training under the regional doctor program and ensuring that graduates gain practical exposure in a range of health facilities. This policy design aims to strengthen medical access in non-Seoul regions and could inform rural-health workforce strategies in other markets, including the United States, where physician shortages pose ongoing policy and market challenges.