An island county needed a doctor, so it tripled the pay

An island county in South Korea has made a bold move to attract a senior doctor after repeated failures in recruitment efforts. Shinan-gun, located in Jeonnam-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, announced it has selected a 61-year-old physician to serve at its public health center following a sixth recruitment attempt. The county tripled its initial salary offer from 11 million won to a pretax monthly salary of 33 million won ($24,100) to secure the doctor’s services. Shinan, which consists of 1,004 islands, has long struggled with a severe shortage of medical professionals. The county previously issued recruitment notices twice, once last year and again this year, but received no applications despite offering salaries ranging from 11 million to 13 million won per month. This latest effort saw the county raise its offer significantly, resulting in the successful selection of a candidate who will start work in October under a one-year contract. The senior doctor program in South Korea targets physicians aged 60 or older, including those who have retired or are nearing retirement. These doctors typically provide critical care in rural and medically underserved regions. Shinan, one of the country’s most underserved areas, currently operates eight of its 16 public health subcenters without a permanent doctor. Some of these facilities depend on community health workers for basic care, while others rely on rotating public health doctors who serve multiple locations. The county highlighted the systemic challenges faced by medically underserved areas in attracting qualified medical staff. Officials emphasized the need for increased financial support from the national government, suggesting that lowering the minimum age requirement for the senior doctor program from 60 to 55 could help expand the pool of available candidates. They also called for higher government funding to improve conditions for healthcare workers in remote regions. The decision to triple the salary reflects growing concerns over the sustainability of healthcare services in isolated communities. With many small islands lacking access to regular medical care, local governments are increasingly turning to innovative solutions to address staffing shortages. In some cases, incentives such as housing allowances, transportation subsidies, and flexible work schedules have been introduced to make these positions more attractive. Local officials noted that the success of this recruitment effort underscores the urgent need for policy changes to support rural healthcare. While the current arrangement provides temporary relief, they argue that long-term strategies must include better infrastructure, improved compensation, and enhanced professional development opportunities for doctors working in these challenging environments. As the selected doctor prepares to take up his post, attention will likely shift to how the county plans to sustain this level of investment. The experience in Shinan may serve as a model for other similarly affected regions, prompting broader discussions about the role of government in supporting healthcare access in remote areas. For now, the focus remains on ensuring that the new doctor can effectively meet the needs of the community he has agreed to serve.