Taking the Medical Licensing Exam Next January... Relief for Medical Students Who 'Refused to Take the Exam' (Update)

Korea Health Personnel Licensing Examination Institute, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul

[Asia Economy Reporters Choi Dae-yeol and Kim Heung-soon] The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 31st that the national medical licensing examination for doctors next year will be conducted twice, divided into the first and second halves of the year. Last year, most medical students refused to take the exam, raising concerns about disruptions in the supply of medical personnel next year. The government intends to hold the exam at the end of next month to prevent any medical service gaps.

Contrary to the government's initial declaration, the decision to hold the medical licensing exam an additional time was made to ensure the smooth implementation of measures to strengthen public healthcare and to expand the number of doctors in essential medical fields. This is to prevent medical service gaps in vulnerable areas and to ensure there are no issues with the existing supply of medical personnel.

Lee Gi-il, Director of the Health and Medical Policy Office at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated, "In the practical exam last September, 2,700 medical students did not participate," adding, "It is expected that there will be a shortage of new doctors and about 380 public health doctors." He continued, "Public health doctors are responsible for essential medical services in public healthcare institutions and vulnerable areas. If this issue is not resolved, it could pose a real risk to the lives and safety of the public," and added, "After much consideration, this plan was prepared to uphold the fundamental principles of public health and patient safety."

The practical medical exam next year will be divided into the first and second halves of the year, with the first half exam scheduled to be held as early as January. Next year, the exam will be conducted for about 6,000 candidates, combining the originally planned 3,200 examinees and approximately 2,700 who canceled their participation. The Ministry of Health and Welfare explained that this is to reduce the burden of prolonged exam periods and the management of standardized patients. Additionally, those who obtain their medical licenses after taking the practical exam in January and February next year will have increased quotas for internships in non-metropolitan areas or public hospitals.

Director Lee said, "We apologize to the public for the confusion and inconvenience caused by the issues related to the medical licensing exam," and added, "We will do our best to minimize the shortage of medical personnel and protect public health and patient safety."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.