South Korea expands regional medical student quotas to 32 medical schools outside Seoul
South Korea’s Education Ministry on Wednesday outlined how regional medical student quotas (지역의사제) will be expanded for 32 medical schools outside Seoul, with changes phased in through the 2027 academic year and beyond. The plan aims to boost university and hospital-based training, prioritizing national universities and ensuring small private medical colleges reach appropriate enrollment levels, while also considering the educational environment for the 2024–25 cohorts.
Under the new framework, the increase in seats per medical school ranges from a minimum of two to a maximum of 39, with the largest gains expected at Gangwon National University and Chungbuk National University. The government said the total expansion targets amount to 490 seats for 2027 and 613 seats for the 2028–2031 period. In total, the Ministry of Education received 760 expansion applications for 2027 and 953 for 2028–2031.
The nine regional quotas proposed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare were applied to determine the allocations. The Ministry of Education noted that it based final decisions on evaluations of each university’s educational environment and improvement plans. An Allocation Committee composed of medical education experts held four meetings over two days, including reviews of submitted applications and, where needed, on-site inspections or requests for additional information.
One example cited was the University of Ulsan College of Medicine. Although the medical school is located in Ulsan, clinical training has frequently occurred in Seoul, such as at Asan Medical Center, drawing criticism that the program serves as a “cosmetic” regional school. As a result, Ulsan University’s 2024 intake was 40, with only a five-seat increase approved in this adjustment cycle.
Two universities, Gangwon National University and Chungbuk National University, are slated for doubling their capacity within the period. From a 2024 base of 49 students, their enrollments are set to rise by 49 by 2028, reaching 98. An Education Ministry official said that universities with fewer than 50 students in 2024 could qualify for up to a 100% increase in 2024, subject to the indicators used in the evaluation, including basic and clinical faculty, the 2024–25 educational environment, and where graduates settle regionally.
Officials also noted that some universities exceeded the upper caps proposed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The Education Ministry described these caps as guidance and said campuses were allowed to adjust final numbers based on the committee’s evaluation. The government stressed it would strengthen training by expanding cooperation with public hospitals and regional medical facilities, ensuring students gain experience beyond university hospitals through a broader network of clinical sites. Plans include establishing clinical education and training centers within hospitals to improve spaces for students and residents.
Education Minister, speaking on the initiative, emphasized ongoing collaboration with universities and cross-ministeral coordination to improve medical education and cultivate high-quality healthcare professionals. The government said these reforms are intended to increase regional medical capacity and broaden practical training across healthcare settings.
Why this matters to U.S. readers: Korea’s move reflects a broader, ongoing effort in many health systems to rebalance physician distribution between metropolitan areas and the regions. If successful, the policy could affect the supply of Korean-trained doctors who may participate in international exchanges, research collaborations, or joint health projects with U.S. institutions. The emphasis on regional clinical training and hospital-based education also signals how Korea plans to adopt and test new health-tech innovations in real-world settings across multiple regions, which could have implications for cross-border partnerships, global health workforce development, and the deployment of digital health solutions tied to medical education and patient care.