South Korea to Raise Medical School Quota to Ease Shortage

Members of The Korea Medical Association attend at a rally against the government's medical policy, in Seoul, in June 2024.

Photographer: Lee Jin-man/AP Photo

South Korea’s government outlined plans to raise the nation’s medical school intake gradually to ease chronic shortages of doctors, after the previous administration’s push for a sharp increase triggered an unprecedented 18-month walkout by medical professionals.

Under the plan released Tuesday, the annual quota for next year will rise to 3,548, a 16% increase from a long-standing baseline that has anchored quota debates for years.