Regional hospital crisis deepens in Korea as staffing shortages persist

What happened: Data released Tuesday shows regional national university hospitals in Korea still have not restored services disrupted by the government-doctor standoff, with empty beds and lagging surgeries. Key numbers: Average bed occupancy at nine national university hospitals outside Seoul was 56.4 percent in 2025, Why it matters: Trainee doctors began returning in September 2025, but shortages of experienced physicians persist. Lawmakers warn aging specialists could leave before the regional doctor program, which admits 488 students in 2027 and 610 in 2028, produces replacements.

Data released Tuesday shows regional national university hospitals in Korea still have not restored services disrupted by the government-doctor standoff, with empty beds and lagging surgeries.

Trainee doctors began returning in September 2025, but shortages of experienced physicians persist. Lawmakers warn aging specialists could leave before the regional doctor program, which admits 488 students in 2027 and 610 in 2028, produces replacements.