South Korean media reported on August 31 that the "resignation wave" caused by South Korean interns and residents' opposition to the medical school enrollment plan has finally subsided after 18 months, and most of the doctors involved will return to work on September 1. The shortage of manpower in the South Korean medical system is expected to be alleviated.

Several media outlets in South Korea, citing industry sources, that the major hospitals had completed the recruitment of interns and hospitalized doctors in the second half of this year, and the specific number of returning and newly hired doctors will be announced by the Ministry of Health and Welfare within a few days.

In February 2024, the South Korean government led by then President Yoon Seok Yoon released a plan to expand medical schools, and decided to increase the enrollment of medical schools in colleges and universities by about 2000 students per year within five years starting from the 2025 academic year to solve the problem of doctor shortage.

South Korea's medical community strongly opposed the expansion plan, saying it would lead to problems such as over-treatment. Tens of thousands of interns and residents have submitted their resignations and left their jobs, causing chaos in the operation of medical institutions. The South Korean government raised the crisis level of the country's medical system to the highest level "serious".

In April this year, the South Korean government softened its stance by announcing that the number of enrollments will be restored to the level prior to the 2025 school year from 2026, but the vast majority of out-of-the-job doctors have not returned to their jobs. Following Li¡¯s appointment as president, the relevant departments were asked to discuss possible solutions through dialogue with the medical community. Last month, the South Korean government and representatives from the medical community re-established a consultation mechanism to discuss the doctor¡¯s return.

According to South Korean media, with a large number of internships and hospitalized doctors returning to work, the burden of clinical treatment in major hospitals will be eased, and medical services that were previously suspended due to a shortage of personnel will be resumed.

Published by: Zhang