National university hospitals fill 73.5% of doctor posts, data show
In short
South Korea's 16 national university hospitals had 7,226 doctors against a quota of 9,828 as of May, a fill rate of 73.5% and a shortfall of 2,602, according to an analysis by ruling party lawmaker Jeon Jin-suk. The rate had fallen from 73.1% in June 2024 to 54.9% in June 2025 during the medical dispute and has recovered this year, with residents rising to 2,650 from 503. Fill rates range from 111.5% at Changwon Gyeongsang National University Hospital to 55.0% at Kyungpook National University Hospital.
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Doctor staffing at South Korea's 16 national university hospitals, including their branches, stood at 73.5% of their combined quota as of May, according to an analysis by ruling Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Jin-suk of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee. The hospitals had 7,226 doctors against a quota of 9,828, a shortfall of 2,602, Yonhap reported. Newsis also reported the 73.5% fill rate. [ 1 , 2 ]
The fill rate fell from 73.1% in June 2024 to 54.9% in June 2025 while the medical dispute continued and has recovered this year, the committee analysis said. The number of residents at the hospitals fell from 1,271 in June 2024 to 503 in June 2025 and rose to 2,650 as of May this year. [ 1 ]
Fill rates vary widely between hospitals. Changwon Gyeongsang National University Hospital reported the highest rate at 111.5% of its quota, followed by Sejong Chungnam National University Hospital at 93.1%. Kyungpook National University Hospital had the lowest at 55.0%, and Gyeongsang National University Hospital 64.0%. Seoul National University Hospital stood at 67.7%. [ 1 ]
Jeon called the reduction in the shortfall alongside the return of residents “a positive change”, but said support must continue to expand so that experienced medical staff can work stably in the regions, Yonhap reported. [ 1 ]
Newsis's report, published at 11:25 local time, likewise said the doctor workforce had recovered while the fill rate remained at 73.5%. [ 1 , 2 ]
Why it matters
The figures indicate that the staffing gap that followed South Korea's medical dispute has narrowed but is not closed, leaving national university hospitals short of roughly one in four doctor posts. The wide spread between hospitals suggests the strain is concentrated in particular regions, which is the point the lawmaker who released the data pressed in calling for continued support.
Key facts
- The 16 national university hospitals, including branches, had 7,226 doctors against a quota of 9,828 as of May 2026, a fill rate of 73.5% and a shortfall of 2,602. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The fill rate was 73.1% in June 2024, fell to 54.9% in June 2025 and recovered this year. [ 1 ]
- Residents at the hospitals fell from 1,271 in June 2024 to 503 in June 2025 and rose to 2,650 as of May 2026. [ 1 ]
- Changwon Gyeongsang National University Hospital had the highest fill rate at 111.5% and Kyungpook National University Hospital the lowest at 55.0%. [ 1 ]
- Democratic Party lawmaker Jeon Jin-suk called the reduced shortfall a positive change and said support must keep expanding so experienced medical staff can work stably in the regions. [ 1 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- Why fill rates differ so widely between hospitals The documents give hospital-by-hospital figures, including Kyungpook National University Hospital's 55.0%, but state no cause for the gap.
- Whether the staffing recovery will continue The documents provide a single snapshot and trend figures, with no projection or later data.
- The detail of Newsis's coverage beyond its headline figure Only the headline stating a recovery and a 73.5% fill rate is available for that outlet, so its fuller account could not be read.