Shortage of 5,270 Doctors in Public and Community Healthcare... Medical Service Gap Widening

Chronic Staffing Shortages and Government-Medical Community Conflict Threaten Public Health Rights
Jin Jin-sook: "The State Must Strengthen Its Responsibility to Address Healthcare Inequality"

Jin Jinsook, member of the Democratic Party of Korea.

Jin Jin-sook, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea representing Buk-gu-eul in Gwangju, announced the results of a nationwide survey on physician shortages at public and community healthcare institutions, conducted this year following last year’s survey. She urged the government to immediately come up with countermeasures for the severe shortage of doctors, which amounts to 5,270 unfilled positions. This survey once again quantifies the ongoing crisis in the medical field and underscores the need for a policy shift.

Public healthcare serves as the last line of defense for the nation’s health, providing essential medical services that are often neglected by the private sector, responding to unpredictable infectious disease disasters, and treating economically and socially vulnerable groups. Above all, it forms the backbone of essential regional healthcare services, yet has long suffered from chronic staffing shortages. This situation has worsened due to the Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s rapid push to increase medical school admissions and the prolonged conflict between the government and the medical community, raising concerns about the collapse of essential regional healthcare systems.

According to the survey results, public healthcare institutions are short by as many as 4,727 doctors compared to their authorized staffing levels. This means that 92 out of 198 public healthcare institutions nationwide (46.5%) have not filled their required positions. Specifically, 4,007 positions are unfilled at 22 university hospitals under the Ministry of Education, and 310 positions are vacant at 41 public healthcare institutions operated by local governments.

The situation is similar at community healthcare institutions. Across 1,590 public health centers and sub-centers in 17 cities and provinces nationwide, 543 out of the minimum required 1,871 doctor positions remain vacant, increasing anxiety among residents in areas with limited access to healthcare.

Jin pointed out that, as a result of the ongoing conflict between the government and the medical community, an increasing number of citizens are unable to receive even the most basic essential medical services, describing this as a clear case of healthcare inequality.

Jin emphasized, "The fundamental role of public healthcare is to protect the right to health, ensuring that every citizen, regardless of where they live or their circumstances, can receive treatment when they are ill." She added, "The government must urgently strengthen its responsibility by enhancing public healthcare, training public physicians, and ensuring their rational placement." She further stated, "The 22nd National Assembly should promptly pursue relevant legislation to resolve these issues."