At around 9 a.m. on the 20th, in front of a real estate brokerage near an apartment complex in Inchang-dong, Guri, Gyeonggi Province. It was early, but several stores had already turned on the lights and were ready for customers. On the window were notices that read, "Sales and jeonse/monthly rent consultations welcome" and "Feel free to inquire."
As the area has been mentioned as a potential target region for the government's planned "regional doctor track," inquiries about moving here are increasing. A licensed real estate agent said, "Guri and Namyangju are not areas short on hospitals and doctors, but they were included as targets for the regional doctor track," adding, "Because it takes just 20 minutes to get to Jamsil, inquiries from young parents considering access to Seoul have been steadily coming in since the related policy was announced."
◇ Guri, Dasan New Town draw interest… moving inquiries
A similar mood is seen in Dasan New Town. On the 19th, local brokers we met said the regional doctor track is propping up home prices.
A Real Estate CEO, a licensed agent surnamed Kim, 63, said, "It's a time when prices should correct after hitting a peak, but demand remains steady due to the regional doctor track policy."
Moving inquiries are also rising quickly. B Real Estate CEO, a person surnamed Shin, 64, said, "Since February, there have been two cases in which parents looking for homes said it was because of the regional doctor track."
The person said, "Actual transaction prices for apartments in Dasan New Town are in the 1 billion won range, so they are cheaper than in Seoul, but not low within Gyeonggi Province," adding, "Even so, inquiries have come in for entrance exam reasons."
The private education sector is also moving. An entrance exam academy in Guri is promoting customized student record consulting for medical tracks on its blog while introducing the regional doctor track policy.
An academy official said, "This month, we have had three to four consultation inquiries related to the regional doctor track," adding, "We are taking reservations mainly from current students, and we'll have to see how many on the outside waiting list we can accept."
◇ Incheon academy district offers admissions strategy counseling for regional medical schools
Starting with the 2027 academic year college admissions, the government plans to introduce a regional doctor track at 32 medical schools nationwide, excluding Seoul. The plan is to increase medical school enrollment by an annual average of 668 over the next five years and select those students on the condition they serve for 10 years after graduation at regional medical institutions.
In the Seoul metropolitan area, applicants qualify if they graduate from both middle and high school in the Uijeongbu, Namyangju, Icheon, Pocheon, Incheon northwest, or Incheon central zones. Guri, Namyangju, and Incheon's Seo District, which are close to Seoul and have established academy districts, are cited as so-called beneficiary areas.
For example, graduating from middle and high school in these areas means one could apply through the regional doctor track to medical schools at Inha University, Gachon University, CHA University, Sungkyunkwan University, and Ajou University in the Gyeonggi–Incheon zone.
In Incheon, the mood varies by area. Yeonsu District, home to Songdo International Business District, was excluded, while Cheongna and Geomdan New Towns in Seo District were included.
Among parents in the Songdo area, there is discontent over "why only Songdo was left out." A user on an online community reacted, saying, "Granting eligibility only to some areas is not fair."
Meanwhile, academy districts in included areas were crowded with students. Around 5 p.m. on the 19th, students were lined up waiting for the elevator at the entrance of an academy building in Cheongna-dong, Seo District, Incheon, and phrases such as "No. 1 nationwide" and "perfect CSAT score" were posted on the outer wall. An academy official said, "Inquiries from parents who want to try for medical school through the regional doctor track are increasing."
However, some say it is still an early stage. That is because it has not yet been decided how many students medical schools in Gyeonggi and Incheon will select under the regional doctor track. The outline is expected to emerge around April.
Kim Seong-ho, 40, head of an English academy in Gajeong-dong, Seo District, Incheon, said, "There hasn't been much concrete counseling because little time has passed since the policy announcement," but added, "Parents' decisions could change once the intake size is finalized."