The Korean Pediatric Society, noting that the foundation of pediatric and adolescent healthcare is being shaken by a sharp decline in resident applications, has called for swift and effective countermeasures.

The academic society made this remark in a statement issued on Thursday.

According to the results of the “2025 Second-Half Medical Resident Recruitment” released by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, pediatric departments nationwide recruited 103 residents. Including junior doctors currently in training, the total number of residents is now 141. The society states this represents approximately 17.4 percent of the total quota.

“This figure is significantly lower even compared to other essential departments, such as internal medicine, surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and emergency medicine. Over the past decade, pediatric residency positions have decreased at the highest rate among essential departments,” the pediatric society said. “Even compared to March 2024, before the medical crisis, there has been a 40.3 percent decrease. This demonstrates that the government's unilateral medical policies and ineffective essential healthcare package have actually worsened the essential medical care situation.”

It continued, “While causes are diverse, the most direct and critical factor is low reimbursement rates. In a survey conducted late in 2024 targeting pediatric residents and specialists, about 90 percent of respondents cited this as a major reason for avoiding the specialty.”

The society added, “The high risk of medical accidents and legal disputes is another factor making residency in pediatrics a difficult choice. About 80 percent of respondents cited the risk of medical accidents as a serious problem. Furthermore, the declining pediatric and adolescent population due to low birth rates is increasing uncertainty about future medical demand, making the outlook for choosing this specialty even bleaker.”

The pediatric society warned that in this situation, the persistent and rapid decline in pediatric and emergency medicine residency applicants will lead to the collapse of the essential healthcare system.

According to the 2025 Residency Status Survey, only about 46.2 percent of the 93 training hospitals nationwide can provide 24-hour emergency care. This means that over half of hospitals in both metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas cannot offer round-the-clock care when pediatric emergency patients arise, the society pointed out.

“In rural areas, 58 municipalities lack pediatric clinics altogether, demonstrating that pediatric emergency care and community-based medical access are being severely undermined,” it said. “Without swift and effective responses from the government and relevant agencies, the foundation of pediatric medical care will soon be pushed into an irreversible situation.”

As solutions, the academic society proposed enacting the “(Tentatively titled) Children and Adolescents Basic Health Act” and establishing dedicated organizations for pediatric and adolescent healthcare.

“To resolve the situation, we request establishing a legal and institutional support framework for pediatric and adolescent healthcare through the enactment of the Children and Adolescents Basic Health Act and ensuring policy consistency and effectiveness by creating dedicated departments for pediatric and adolescent healthcare,” the society said. “Furthermore, urgent action is needed on issues, including adjusting pediatric and adolescent medical fees to reflect reality, providing exceptional financial support, alleviating legal burdens related to medical accidents, and improving systems for patient victim relief.”

“While Korea's low birthrate crisis is a structural problem difficult to resolve with any single measure, it is the fundamental duty of the state to ensure that children born can grow up healthy as future members of society,” it said. “Strengthening pediatric medical infrastructure is essential for this. We must listen to the serious warning signs and experts' voices before it's too late and urgently prepare effective countermeasures.”