South Korea expands regional medical schools to bolster rural healthcare by 2031

South Korea’s Ministry of Education released the 2027 medical school enrollment plan and the allocations for 2028–2031, showing a focus on regional universities outside Seoul. The plan targets 32 regional medical schools and notes that the increases apply to the regional doctor workforce programs.

Under the plan, the total number of medical school seats in 2027 is projected to rise by 490 compared with 2024, while the increases for 2028–2031 are set at 613 seats per year. The allocations discussed are for regional medical schools excluding those in Seoul.

Among universities, Kangwon National University and Chungbuk National University are set to gain the largest jump, with 49 additional seats each for 2028–2031. Busan National University and Chonnam National University (Jeonnam) would each gain 38 seats, followed by Kyungpook National University with 33 seats.

Other sizable increases include Gyeongam National University (28), Jeonbuk National University (27), Chosun University (24), Soonchunhyang University (23), and Wonkwang University and Dong-A University (21 each). A number of institutions are slated for single‑digit increases.

Universities such as Gachon University, Kosin University, and Konkuk University Glocal reportedly receive nine additional seats; Catholic Kwandong University, Hallym University, Konyang University, and Eulji University eight; Ajou University and Inha University seven; Ulsan University and Dongguk University’s WISE Campus six; Sungkyunkwan University four; and CHA University three. Officials note that increases tend to be smaller when training occurs primarily at hospitals in the capital region rather than at the university’s own location, and that measures will be drafted to bolster local clinical training and retention.

Regionally, the 2028–2031 allocations place the largest total in the Busan–Ulsan–Gyeongsangnam-do area at 121 seats, followed by Daejeon–Chungnam and Daegu–Gyeongbuk at 90 seats each. Gangwon Province would see 79 seats, with 62 in Gwangju, 58 in Chungbuk, 48 in Jeonbuk, 35 in Jeju, and 30 in Gyeonggi–Incheon.

The plan’s regional focus matters beyond Korea. For the United States, a broader pool of trained physicians from regional Korean universities could influence Korea’s health system stability, rural care access, and healthcare costs. It may also affect collaborations in medical education, research, and global health talent pipelines as Korea scales regional training and potentially diversifies where graduates begin practice.

Universities can submit feedback on the allocations, and the ministry will review comments and notify each school of its official quota by March, with an appeal period to follow. The Education Ministry frames the plan as an effort to address regional public medical workforce shortages and to maintain the quality of medical education, using institutional plans and expert discussions as a basis for the increases.