First Ever 'Regional Doctor' Admissions for 10-Year Local Service to Begin on the 7th for 490 Students

The first university early admissions process to select "regional doctors," who will be legally bound to work for 10 years in their designated regions after obtaining their medical licenses, is set to begin on the 7th.

For the 2027 academic year, a total of 490 students will be selected across 32 medical schools and graduate schools of medicine outside of Seoul.

The government has urged applicants to thoroughly check their eligibility based on the school's location, mandatory service regions, and penalties for failing to fulfill the service obligation.

Ahead of the first early admissions for the regional doctor selection process for the 2027 academic year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education released an "Application Guide (FAQ)" today (the 3rd).

The regional doctor system selects students who grew up in local areas through a separate admissions track, provides them with tuition and other financial support from the national and local governments, and requires them to work in the respective regions for a certain period after acquiring a medical license.

For the 2027 academic year, a total of 490 students will be selected across 32 medical schools and graduate schools of medicine outside of Seoul, consisting of 359 students at the medical service zone level (groups of cities, counties, and districts) and 131 students at the broader provincial level (groups of cities and provinces).

Depending on the location of the medical school they wish to apply to, students must complete their entire educational curriculum from middle school entrance to graduation within the corresponding broader provincial region, and for high school, within the corresponding medical service zone or broader provincial region.

The Graduate School of Medicine at CHA University accepted applications from the 4th to the 6th of last month, while the remaining 31 institutions will begin early admissions on the 7th.

Students selected through this process will receive financial support for tuition and textbook expenses, as well as opportunities for additional education and training.

After obtaining their medical licenses, they must work for 10 years in the mandatory service region announced at the time of their selection.

The government outlined key details that students and parents must verify, including ▲ the exact locations of the mandatory service regions, and ▲ penalties for failing to fulfill the service obligation, such as the full repayment of tuition and statutory interest, and the suspension or revocation of medical licenses.

Simply paying back the full amount of government-supported tuition and statutory interest at any time does not grant a general medical license.

Furthermore, in cases where an individual pays the refund and later passes the national medical licensing examination, the refund will be returned, and a conditional license will be issued under the condition of serving 10 years in the mandatory service region designated at the time of selection.

According to the government, applicants have made numerous inquiries regarding school and residency requirements, as well as matters concerning moving and transferring schools.

While moving or transferring schools itself does not restrict application eligibility, transferring to a different broader provincial region disqualifies applicants from applying under either service zones or broader provincial regions.

The government plans to continue providing admissions information, including these details, in cooperation with relevant organizations such as universities and provincial/metropolitan offices of education.

The government also plans to support regional doctors throughout their entire journey so that they can grow into competent medical professionals during their service period.

In the second half of this year, a "Regional Doctor Support Center" will be selected through a public contest to provide career counseling, information services, and job training.

Regional doctors who have completed their mandatory service will receive preferential treatment, such as priority hiring at the medical institutions where they worked or at local public health and medical institutions.

In particular, those who open and operate medical institutions in medically vulnerable areas may also receive administrative and financial support from local governments in accordance with the law.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.