The number of resigning residents who announced they would return to the field starting in March is extremely low. In particular, only one person applied for obstetrics and gynecology, a critical medical field, leading to severe workforce shortages.
According to data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 2nd to Representative Kim Yoon of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, only 2.2% (199 people) of the 9,220 resigning residents subjected to a recruitment process conducted by 221 training hospitals nationwide applied in the first half of this year.
By subject, only one person applied for obstetrics and gynecology, while three applied for radiation oncology, four for dermatology, and five each for urology, plastic surgery, and ophthalmology. Additionally, seven each applied for neurology and surgery, and nine for psychiatric medicine, with many fields having single-digit applicants. A relatively larger number of applicants applied for internal medicine and orthopedics, with 24 and 22 applicants, respectively. By year, only 17 (0.6%) first-year residents applied, while 54 (2.1%) second-year, 52 (2.1%) third-year, and 76 (4.9%) fourth-year residents applied.
Earlier, a similar pattern was observed in the recruitment of first-year residents for the first half of 2025 conducted last December. Of the recruitment quota of 3,594, only 5% (181 people) were filled, and only one person was selected for obstetrics and gynecology.