Sign in Subscribe
Legislative bills

Government and Ruling Party Vow to Pass Bills Addressing Doctor Shortages and Regional Discrepancies

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Government officials and the Democratic Party have agreed to push forward with two bills aimed at strengthening essential medical care and reducing regional disparities in doctor distribution. The bills, a special act on essential and regional health care and a regional doctor training act, aim to address pressing issues in the medical sector, including a shortage of doctors in essential fields and a low rate of junior doctors returning to hospitals.

Key Takeaways:

  • The government plans to pass the special act on essential and regional health care and the regional doctor training act within the current legislative session to address key points of medical reform.
  • Under the regional doctor training act, medical schools will be required to admit a certain proportion of students through a special track designated for regional doctors, who will receive full tuition but will be required to work at public health institutions for a certain period after obtaining their medical license.
  • The national government has expressed concerns over the low rate of junior doctors returning to hospitals in essential fields, with a return rate of unknown proportions to regional training hospitals.
  • The government plans to amend the law to better protect patients who have suffered amid the prolonged standoff between the government and the medical community.
  • The standoff began in early 2024, when thousands of trainee doctors walked off their jobs, and medical students boycotted classes in protest against the government's plan to increase medical school admissions.
  • The government reversed its plan in February 2025, restoring the 2026 admissions quota to its previous level of about 3,000.

Statistics:

  • At least 2,000 additional medical school admissions are planned for 2025.
  • The special act on essential and regional health care aims to address regional discrepancies in doctor distribution.
  • The regional doctor training act requires medical schools to admit a certain proportion of students through a special track for regional doctors.
  • Junior doctor return rates in essential fields remain low, with proportionate figures not cited.

Sources:

  • Yonhap News Agency, "Government and ruling party vow to pass bills addressing doctor shortages and regional discrepancies"
  • Lee Soo-jin, DP Rep., comments on reporter questions, February 2025.

Read more