The government plans to invest 5 trillion won (US$3.7 billion) through 2030 to help enhance the education environment of medical schools following the sharp increase in their admissions quotas. The plan was announced by the education ministry after the combined admissions quota for 2025 was increased by 1,500 seats across medical schools nationwide in the first such hike in 27 years. As part of the investment starting in 2025, 1,000 full-time professors will be added to state-run medical schools by 2027, including 330 positions next year. Around 150 billion won will be funneled to expanding education facilities and equipment at state-run medical schools, while 172.8 billion won will be offered as low-interest loans to private medical schools looking to upgrade their environments. The investment also includes substantial financial support for general university hospitals, including 82.9 billion won to construct additional classrooms and research facilities and 167.8 billion won to enhance research capacit y in medical services in remote regions and essential medical fields. By 2028, clinical training centers will also be established in all state-run university hospitals to provide medical students and training doctors with education in a hospital-like environment, the education ministry said. Source: Yonhap News Agency