South Korean hospitals are nearing the end of a recruitment drive for trainee doctors, yet interest remains low as a widespread protest against the government's medical reforms shows no signs of abating. The current round of hiring, set to close on Friday, has seen few new applicants, according to hospital officials.

The latest recruitment efforts follow an unsuccessful initial round that ended last month, during which hospitals managed to fill only 104 out of 7,645 available positions-just 1.4% of the total. Despite issuing new recruitment notices last week, the response from the medical community has been tepid. Some medical professors have even warned of a potential boycott against training new applicants, reflecting the deep-seated dissatisfaction within the profession.

The ongoing protest is rooted in the government's decision to increase medical school quotas, a move that has been met with fierce resistance from trainee doctors. In July, nearly 7,700 trainee doctors resigned in protest, effectively halting their participation in the medical system. This mass resignation was a clear signal of their opposition to the reforms, and many are unlikely to reapply unless the government reconsiders its stance.

As of Wednesday, the health ministry reported that the number of applicants for the new round of recruitment remained disappointingly low. The ministry indicated that it would consider additional measures once hospitals complete the application process, but the outlook remains uncertain.

"There are not many applicants so far," a health ministry official confirmed, highlighting the ongoing challenge in attracting new trainees.

The situation is further complicated by reports of a potential backlash against doctors who have considered reapplying. Lists naming junior doctors who have decided to return to work have been circulating online, prompting the government to request a police investigation into the matter.

In response to the shortage of trainee doctors, the government is exploring policy reforms aimed at expanding the roles of physician assistants. This initiative is intended to mitigate the impact of the protests and ensure that hospitals can continue to function despite the significant gaps left by the absence of junior doctors.

As the deadline for applications approaches, the standoff between the government and the medical community shows no signs of resolution. The protest against the medical school quota increase and broader reforms has created a significant disruption in the healthcare system, with the potential for long-term consequences if the impasse continues.