South Korea’s New Push for More Doctors Sparks Debate

South Korea is planning to increase the number of medical students by 16% in 2027, with further growth planned for later years. The health ministry announced the move after a period of tension that began in February 2024, when trainee doctors walked out to protest earlier plans for larger enrollment increases. The current proposal raises the student quota from 2, 058 in 2024 to 3, 548 by 2027, and will continue to rise until the total reaches 3, 871 in 2030. Officials say the aim is to strengthen regional and public health services across the country.Health Minister Jeong Eun‑kyeong, who joined the administration of President Lee Jae Myung in June last year, said the plan was developed after discussions and that the government would approach medical staff and the public with humility. The Korean Medical Association, which represents doctors nationwide, has called the new proposal “irresponsible” and claimed it is based on flawed estimates and distorted data. Whether physicians will stage another protest remains uncertain. The debate highlights the delicate balance between expanding medical education and ensuring that the quality of training and workforce needs are met in a sustainable way.