South Korean Government Increases Intake of Students for Medical Colleges

The newest reforms enacted by the South Korean government, which raised the percentage of medical college admissions by 0.015% of applicants, have sparked renewed hope for aspiring doctors, sparking hope in the majority of the test re-takers.

The reforms, though welcome among students, have faced opposition within the medical community. Thousands of medical students and trainee doctors staged protests and halted work for months, objecting to the increase in medical school admissions, arguing it could dilute the quality of medical training. Despite these protests, the government has proceeded with the expansion, aiming to address South Korea’s healthcare demands, even though the stoppage has impacted hospitals nationwide.

South Korea is holding its highly competitive Suneung exam, or College Scholastic Ability Test, where students vie for admission to prestigious universities and, increasingly, to medical programs that offer high social and economic prospects. This year, a record number of students—almost a third of the 600,000 sitting for the exam—are retaking it, motivated by recent reforms that expanded the number of slots for medical trainees.

South Korea takes extensive measures to ensure test-takers can focus without distraction. On exam day, national protocols kick in: flights are rescheduled, traffic is slowed, and honking is banned. Offices are asked to adjust working hours to reduce congestion near the 1,200 exam centers.

The education ministry has coordinated with various departments to create a quiet environment, prioritizing the test-takers’ concentration and performance, which are seen as crucial not only for academic success but also for securing social mobility, economic stability, and, for some, marriage prospects.