Rx for Success: Unpacking South Korea’s Unrelenting Pursuit of a Medical Dream
Seunghyun Ahn, National Director
Over 70,000 students applied for medical school admissions, a 15,000 increase from last year. Despite the government’s policy to increase medical school enrollment, resulting in a nearly 60% increase in admissions, the number of applicants still surpassed expectations. At first glance, it appears that becoming a doctor is the top aspiration for young people in our country.
Is the surge in medical school applications driven by a genuine desire to become doctors, or is it a pursuit of a lucrative career? The answer is already known. Many students who applied to medical schools in this year’s early admissions were likely influenced by their parents. Regardless of the motivation, the fact that so many young people are flocking to medical school reveals a particular aspect of our society.
I would like to believe that this trend is a result of a generation inspired by the COVID-19 pandemic to become doctors and make a positive impact. However, the reality is less romantic. When asked about their motivations for attending medical school, many students and individuals would respond that they desire a stable job and a well-paying career. The perception of being a doctor as a prestigious and lucrative profession also plays a significant role.
While there is no law prohibiting individuals from becoming doctors with these motivations, it raises questions about the desirability of this phenomenon. Is it beneficial for the future of our country to have the best talents solely focused on becoming doctors? Being a doctor is a valuable profession, but it cannot be the only aspiration. We need scientists, engineers, teachers, artists, entrepreneurs, and politicians to drive societal progress.
When individuals excel in their respective fields, society flourishes. Currently, our children have a single-minded goal: becoming a doctor. With 70,000 applicants and only 3,000 securing early admission, the remaining 67,000 students must prepare for a challenging battle in regular admissions.
The root cause of this phenomenon is the prevalent ‘doctor supremacy’ in our society, which places excessive value on the medical profession. This trend is a result of distorted values that prioritize money, power, and status. We must reflect on whether adults’ greed is influencing children’s dreams and aspirations. It is essential to inform children that becoming a doctor is not the only path to success and that there are numerous paths to explore in the world.
The government should also reassess its approach. Simply increasing the number of medical school students is not a fundamental solution and may even perpetuate ’doctor supremacy.’ A comprehensive reform of the medical system is necessary, including reducing the excessive workload of doctors and eliminating the gap in medical care between regions.
I would like to advise children who aspire to become doctors to carefully consider their motivations. If their primary reason is to secure a stable job or a lucrative career, I encourage them to reconsider. Being a doctor is a noble profession that carries significant responsibilities, including caring for patients and making life-or-death decisions. A lifelong commitment to studying and honing medical skills is also required.
If individuals become doctors without a genuine desire to help others and instead pursue worldly success, it will be detrimental to both themselves and their patients. The primary motivation for becoming a doctor should be a sincere desire to save and help people through medicine.
Even if some students fail to enter medical school, they may have talents that could shine in other fields. Our society needs more than just doctors; we need scientists to address the climate crisis, engineers to lead the fourth industrial revolution, counseling experts to support young people’s mental health, and welfare experts to improve the quality of life for the elderly.
All these paths are meaningful and valuable. Adults must provide a broader perspective to help children discover a path that suits their aptitude and talent. This is the key to benefiting children and creating a bright future for our society.