566 applicants for next year's specialist exam...20% of this year's 'drastic decline'

The Korean Medical Association said a total of 566 people applied for the 2025 specialty certificate exam, which ended at 5 p.m. today (12th).

Previously, the number of people taking the specialist examination this year was 20.3% of 2,782, which was compiled by the Medical Association, raising concerns about a sharp drop in new specialist emissions.

After one year as an intern and three to four years as a resident, medical doctors become specialists through tests, which is interpreted as the result of a large number of medical doctors who protested the government's increase in medical schools leaving during the training process.

There is a possibility that additional applicants may be eliminated from the examination because they have to go through the examination.

The first round of writing will be held on February 14th next year, and the second practical and oral examination will continue on the 18th to the 21st of the same month.