The South Korean government announced it is reviving its plan to increase the number of medical students, even though this measure previously led to months of protests by many doctors that disrupted their work.
On Tuesday, 10 Feb 2026 GMT+7, South Korea's Ministry of Health stated that the government plans to raise the number of medical students by 16% in 2027 and will continue increasing numbers in subsequent years, despite this measure previously triggering nationwide protests in 2024.
During President Yoon Suk-yeol's administration, he tried to increase medical student admissions from about 3,000 per year to 5,000, but this plan met strong opposition from doctors. Tens of thousands of medical interns went on strike from February 2024 to late 2025, creating a public health crisis.
However, South Korea's Ministry of Health said the latest plan will raise the medical student quota to 3,548 in 2027, an increase of 490 from 2024, aiming to strengthen regional hospitals, primary healthcare, and public medical facilities.
The ministry added that the increase in medical student admissions will be gradual until reaching the overall target of 3,871 by 2030.
Minister of Health Jeong Eun-kyeong said the latest plan follows extensive discussions and that "the government will communicate humbly with medical personnel and the public."
The Korean Medical Association, representing healthcare workers, has not yet commented on the revised plan but previously harshly criticized the earlier proposal as "irresponsible" and based on "poor evaluation and distorted data."
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Source:cna