Government survey reveals over 3,000 applicants for increased medical school seats

Following a nationwide survey conducted by the government on the demand for increased medical school seats, it has been determined that the number of applicants exceeded 3,000.

During a meeting held on the morning of March 5 KST by the Central Safety and Disaster Countermeasure Headquarters, it was announced that a total of 40 universities responded to the Ministry of Education's call for applications for the 2025 class of medical students between February 22 and March 4, resulting in an increase of 3,401 seats.

Park Min Soo, the First General Coordinator of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters (Second Vice Minister of Health and Welfare), stated that the number of additional seats included 365 in 8 universities in Seoul, 565 in 5 universities in Gyeonggi-do and Incheon, and 2,471 in 27 universities outside the metropolitan area.

In a preliminary survey conducted between October and November last year, the projected increase in personnel ranged from a minimum of 2,151 to a maximum of 2,847. However, the actual number of applications exceeded these estimates.

Coordinator Park Min Soo emphasized that the results of the university applications indicate a significant surplus in the capacity for immediate increases in 2025, assuming the maintenance of quality medical care and adherence to evaluation and certification standards.

He further highlighted that the high rate of applications for increased staff from universities outside the metropolitan area, reaching 72%, reflects a strong desire to bolster local medical services and essential healthcare in those regions.

The government aims to swiftly finalize the allocation of quotas by taking into account various factors such as the demand for additional seats, the educational capacity of each university, the necessity for regional and essential medical support, and the capacity of smaller medical schools.