Medical school admission quota: the 2,000-place increase and its reversal

Increase of 2,000 places a year announced from 2025[1]

Reported to the Health and Medical Policy Deliberation Committee the same day: quota raised from 3,058 to 5,058 from the 2025 academic year.

Residents resign en masse[2]

In the 100 main training hospitals, 8,816 residents (about 71.2%) had submitted resignations by 20 February at 10 p.m., and 7,813 (63.1%) had left their posts.

Health crisis alert raised to « serious »[16]

92.9% of residents in the main hospitals have left[3]

11,994 of the 12,912 residents of the 100 main training hospitals had given up their contracts or left their posts.

The 2,000 extra places allocated to universities[4][21]

The Ministry of Education notifies the 2025 quota per university: 1,639 places outside the capital region, 361 in Gyeonggi-Incheon, none in Seoul.

Universities allowed to recruit 50 to 100% of their increase for 2025[5]

Decision taken at the request of the presidents of six regional flagship national universities, for the 32 medical schools whose quota had been raised.

Seoul High Court rejects the request to suspend the increase[6]

The appeal against the refusal to suspend the increase decision was dismissed or rejected, according to the government.

2025 admission plans approved: 4,567 places[7]

The Korean Council for University Education approves the changes: +1,509 places, the first increase in 27 years according to the government.

First enlarged intake: 4,567 students in 2025[7][19]

The legal quota is 5,058, but universities were allowed to recruit 50 to 100% of their increase: 1,509 more students than in 2024 were admitted.

Offer: 3,058 recruits in 2026 if all students return[8]

The government said it would respect the university presidents’ choice of 3,058 recruits for 2026 if all medical students returned by the end of March; otherwise the quota would stay at 5,058.

National Assembly passes the estimation committee act[9][10]

Amendment to the Framework Act on Health and Medical Services, promulgated and in force on 17 April 2025.

2026 recruitment brought back to 3,058[12][13]

At the request of university presidents and medical school deans, for 2026 only; a decree of 27 May 2025 lets universities admit fewer students than their quota.

Physician estimation committee appointed[14]

15 experts: 8 nominated by provider organisations, 4 by user organisations, 3 by academic and research bodies.

Residents back at 76.2% of the usual number[15]

After the second-half 2025 recruitment, 10,305 residents were in training, against 13,531 expected in March 2024; there were 2,532 (18.7%) in June 2025.

« Serious » health crisis alert lifted[16]

According to the government, dialogue with the medical profession resumed with the new government in June 2025 and many residents returned.

Estimation committee publishes its forecast[17]

Base models: a shortage of 1,535 to 4,923 physicians in 2035 and 5,704 to 11,136 in 2040.

2,000-place plan replaced by a smaller increase for 2027-2031[19][20]

The 5,058 quota is not restored. Under the procedure of the 2025 act, the Health and Medical Policy Deliberation Committee set +490 places in 2027 and +613 a year in 2028-2031 over the 2024 quota (3,548 then 3,671), all through a regional doctor track, plus 200 places in new schools from 2030.

2027-2031 places pre-notified to 32 universities outside Seoul[20]

Board of Audit report on the 2024 increase[21]

Two cautions and six notices: shortage estimate, consultation, allocation to universities, teaching capacity.

Regional doctor track rules issued for 2027[22]

Students admitted through the track receive tuition, textbook and housing support and must serve 10 years in the designated region after obtaining their licence.

Two new medical schools selected for 2030[23]

Suncheon National University (60 places) and Gyeongkuk National University (40 places), in regions without a medical school.