Pediatric Clinics Closing: South Korea Faces Doctor Shortage Crisis
- South Korea’s healthcare system is grappling with a deepening crisis in pediatric care, as evidenced by a significant net loss of pediatric clinics in 2025.
- Data released by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on February 23, 2026, revealed that 89 pediatric clinics closed nationwide last year, while only 59 opened.
- The dwindling number of pediatricians is not a new phenomenon.
South Korea’s Pediatric Care System Faces Critical Decline
South Korea’s healthcare system is grappling with a deepening crisis in pediatric care, as evidenced by a significant net loss of pediatric clinics in . The trend reflects a broader decline in interest among young doctors to specialize in pediatrics, raising concerns about access to essential medical services for children, particularly in rural areas.
Data released by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service on , revealed that 89 pediatric clinics closed nationwide last year, while only 59 opened. This resulted in the steepest net decline of any medical specialty. Pediatrics was the sole discipline to experience a net loss in the number of clinics, with anesthesiology and obstetrics and gynecology showing the smallest gains, adding 18 and 21 clinics respectively.
The dwindling number of pediatricians is not a new phenomenon. A report by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs showed a decline in residents and interns choosing pediatrics, falling from 816 in to 395 in . This trend is further underscored by a survey conducted by researchers at Jeonbuk National University, which found that 86.7 percent of medical school students expressed no intention to specialize in pediatrics.
Several factors contribute to this lack of interest. According to the survey, the primary concerns cited by medical students included a declining young population and challenges in interactions with patients’ guardians. These concerns highlight the perceived difficulties and potential liabilities associated with practicing pediatrics in the current healthcare landscape.
Broader Trends in Clinic Openings and Closures
While pediatrics faces a critical shortage, the overall number of new clinics opening in South Korea remains positive. A total of 1,840 new clinics opened across all specialties in , while 1,011 closed. However, the distribution of these new medical institutes is uneven. A significant concentration of new openings occurred in the greater Seoul area, with 1,613 institutes opening in Seoul, 1,374 in Gyeonggi Province, and 299 in Incheon – collectively accounting for approximately 61 percent of all new institutes.
The regional disparities are further highlighted by the situation in North Jeolla Province, which was the only region to report a net loss of medical institutes, with 124 closures and 123 openings.
The Wider Healthcare Crisis and Government Response
The challenges in pediatrics are occurring against the backdrop of a broader healthcare crisis in South Korea. As reported previously, the government has responded by proposing an increase in the medical school admission quota, aiming to address the overall shortage of medical professionals, particularly in underserved regions. However, this policy has been met with resistance from some physicians, who express concerns about the potential impact on the quality of medical education and the healthcare system as a whole.
The current situation echoes concerns raised in recent reports about a growing trend of young doctors choosing to specialize in fields like dermatology and plastic surgery, rather than critical areas such as pediatrics and emergency care. This shift exacerbates existing shortages and leaves patients, particularly those in rural communities, with limited access to essential medical services. According to data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, 176 new clinics opened by general practitioners between and , a 36.4 percent increase from 129 the previous year. A substantial 83 percent of these new clinics were dermatology practices, followed by plastic surgery.
The mass resignation of trainee doctors in , following the announcement of the increased medical school quotas, further disrupted healthcare delivery, leading to the implementation of triage and delays in non-essential medical procedures. This ongoing crisis underscores the complex challenges facing South Korea’s healthcare system and the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to ensure equitable access to quality medical care for all citizens.