South Korea expands medical school intake by 490 to ease rural doctor shortages

South Korea’s government has announced next year’s plan to expand the nation’s medical school intake by 490 seats, bringing the total to 3,548. The extra places will be allocated to regional medical programs at 32 universities outside Seoul.

The increases by university vary. The largest boosts are at Gangwon National University and Chungbuk National University, each adding 39 places. Jeonnam National University and Pusan National University will add 31 each; Jeju National University 28; Chungnam National University 27; Kyungpook National University 26; and Jeonbuk National University 21. The expansion is concentrated at national universities rather than private colleges.

Universities in the Greater Seoul area—such as Gachon University, Sungkyunkwan University, Inha University, and CHA University—will see smaller increases, in the single digits.

From the 2028 academic year through 2031, the plan calls for increasing the regional intake by 613 seats each year to recruit through the regional medical track.

Eligibility for the regional track requires applicants to have attended both middle school and high school in the local region. Selected students receive tuition and living expense support, but must undertake a 10-year public service obligation in the region after graduation.

Some students are already preparing to relocate to regional middle schools to meet the eligibility requirements, a move described as necessary to qualify for the regional track.

Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin said the policy aims to relieve shortages of public medical personnel in rural areas and to safeguard the quality of medical education. The ministry plans to finalize university quotas next month and to confirm the 2027 admissions framework by May.

Why this matters for the United States: Korea’s approach highlights how a major Asian economy is addressing regional healthcare disparities and building a pipeline of physicians trained for community needs. Changes in Korea’s medical education and rural recruitment could influence international collaborations in medical training, global health policy, and potential partnerships in research and health services between Korea and the United States.