# South Korea regional physician system implementation

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korea-regional-physician-system-implementation
> Updated: 2026-09-29T21:35:58.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

South Korea has initiated its first recruitment for a regional physician system to address medical personnel shortages in non-metropolitan areas. Starting September 7, 32 medical schools will select 490 students through early admissions.

Under this program, state and local governments provide tuition and textbook support. In return, students receive a conditional medical license requiring 10 years of service in designated regional areas after passing national exams. Failure to meet this obligation can result in the suspension or revocation of the medical license. Eligibility is restricted to applicants who completed their entire middle and high school education within specific regional or metropolitan boundaries.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-29: South Korean education offices announce 2027 teacher recruitment

South Korean education offices in Seoul and Chungbuk have announced 2027 secondary teacher recruitment plans, with Seoul seeing a 30.6% decrease in total positions compared to last year.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-education-offices-announce-2027-teacher-recruitment

### 2026-09-02: South Korea launches first recruitment for regional physician system

South Korea begins recruiting 490 regional physicians for 2027, offering tuition support in exchange for a mandatory 10-year service commitment in non-metropolitan medical areas.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korea-launches-first-recruitment-for-regional-physician-system

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Cite as: South Korea regional physician system implementation. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korea-regional-physician-system-implementation