South Korea Projects Physician Shortage By 2037

South Korea's Health Ministry said Feb. 6 it could face a shortage of up to 4,800 physicians by 2037, projecting about 135,369 practicing doctors under a supply-based inflow-outflow model. The government will announce medical school quotas for the five-year period starting in the 2027 academic year next week amid opposition from the Korean Medical Association and concerns about training quality and regional disparities. Officials plan capped increases and differentiated standards.