Rep. So Byeong-hun: "113 Pediatrics Residents, a National Disaster"

The number of pediatrics residents employed at training hospitals nationwide has dwindled to just 113. Of these, 78.8%, or 89 residents, are concentrated in Seoul, leaving regional pediatric medical infrastructure on the brink of collapse.

According to data submitted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to Rep. So Byeong-hun of the National Assembly's Committee on Health and Welfare, as of September 2026, the actual number of residents has sharply declined by 81.0% (480 fewer) compared to 593 in 2021. Meanwhile, Gyeonggi Province had only 2 residents, while South Chungcheong, North Chungcheong, and North Jeolla each had 1 resident. Six cities and provinces—Gangwon, North Gyeongsang, South Gyeongsang, South Jeolla, and Sejong—had no residents on staff.

In 2024, 194 of 236 appointed candidates (82.2%) resigned, and in 2025, 52 of the nation's 61 training hospitals (85%) failed to recruit a single first-year resident. The Ministry of Welfare responded regarding the status of pediatric subspecialists, stating, "As it is a private credential, we do not possess hospital-specific hiring information."

Rep. So Byeong-hun characterized the situation as "national disaster level," pointing out government dereliction of duty and urging the implementation of effective countermeasures.