Resigned Trainee Doctors Hesitate to Return

The Ministry of Health and Welfare (MHW) reported that only 199 of the 9,220 formerly resigned trainee doctors, comprised of interns and residents, have reapplied, according to the results from the residency reappointment application for the first half of 2025, held from January 15^th to 19^th. They were among those who resigned during the medical crisis that occurred the previous year, resulting from the medical community’s response to the government’s decision to increase the medical school enrollment quota in 2025. The community asserted that simply increasing the number of doctors would not solve problems such as the regional polarization of healthcare services. Rather, they stated the need to improve working conditions and the medical system. After recognizing the critical situation, the government offered several incentives to the resigned medical trainees in January, including abolishing restrictions related to being unable to return to the same subject and year level within only a year of resignation. However, only 2% of the former trainee doctors returned even with the extended application deadline from the 17^th to 19^th. The number of final medical exam passers also dropped this year, further exacerbating the crisis. The Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute reported that only 269 passed the 2025 examinations, a sharp decrease from last year’s 3,045. With medical professionals refusing to return, concerns over the worsening healthcare crisis are growing.