Medical school professors have issued a public inquiry to the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health and Welfare ahead of the finalization of medical school enrollment quotas for the 2027-2031 academic years.
The Korean Association of Medical College Professors sent an open letter to both ministers on the 10th, stating that "the number of enrolled students in the 2027 academic year already exceeds the maximum increase rate used as the benchmark by the Health and Medical Policy Deliberation Committee, making normal medical education impossible even without further increases." The association demanded a response.
According to the association, a total of 1,586 medical students from the classes of 2024 and 2025 are currently on leave of absence. Assuming that 11% (91 students) of those on leave are from eight Seoul-area medical schools that saw no enrollment increase in 2025, the remaining 32 universities are estimated to have 1,495 students on leave.
"Of the 5,973 enrolled students from the classes of 2024 and 2025 at these 32 universities, approximately 25%, or 1,495 students, are on leave," the association explained. "Assuming 50% return in each of 2026 and 2027, comparing the maximum enrollment numbers allocated according to the committee's principles with the scenario including returning students shows the figure already exceeds the ministry's proposed maximum by 123 students—even without any increase."
The association noted this calculation does not account for students who fail to advance grades. "In medical schools, approximately 10% of students fail to progress each year, and universities with larger enrollment increases may see even higher failure rates," the group argued. "The actual number of enrolled students nationwide in 2027 will likely be much higher than projected."
The professors expressed concern about the burden on faculty teaching the growing student body. "The increase in full-time professors reported to the committee largely represents title changes for fund professors or clinical professors performing the same teaching, research, and clinical duties," the association stated. "While the total number of full-time professors may have increased on paper, reality is the opposite."
The group attributed this to faculty departures from regional universities to Seoul and metropolitan area institutions, as well as moves to higher-paying universities within Seoul, following the Yoon Suk-yeol administration's push to increase medical school enrollment by 2,000.
"Considering faculty, failing students, buildings, facilities, and other educational requirements, the conclusion is that normal medical education will be even more difficult," the association said. "We await rebuttal statements from both ministries."
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health and Welfare held the seventh meeting of the Health and Medical Policy Deliberation Committee, comprising medical professionals and patient and consumer organizations, and confirmed plans to train an additional average of 668 doctors annually over five years starting in the 2027 academic year.
Medical school enrollment for 2027 was set at 3,548 students, an increase of 490 from current levels. For 2028-2029, enrollment will rise to 3,671 students, up 613 from current figures. From 2030, the quota will expand to 3,871 students, reflecting 100 seats each for new public medical schools and regional medical schools.