[Edaily Reporter KWON HYE-ME ] Shinan County has begun recruiting “senior doctors” aged 60 and older to address the healthcare gap caused by a decline in the number of public health physicians.

On the 12th, Shinan County announced that it is accepting open applications for one “senior physician” from doctors aged 60 or older until the 18th.

The county is offering exceptionally generous terms: 33 million won per month before taxes for a 5-day workweek, and 26.4 million won per month before taxes for a 4-day workweek.

According to the county, the number of public health physicians working in the Shinan area has decreased by 28.6% in just one year, from 21 last year to 15 this year. As a result, eight out of the county’s 16 public health subcenters—nearly half—currently lack a physician.

Currently, a single public health physician from a nearby health facility is rotating through up to four health subcenters once or twice a week to provide medical care.

However, given the region’s high proportion of elderly residents and patients with chronic conditions, these mobile clinics alone are insufficient to meet the ongoing demand for medical care.

Accordingly, to secure a stable medical workforce and improve access to healthcare for residents in medically underserved areas, Shinan County has decided to publicly recruit one “senior physician” from doctors aged 60 or older, with applications accepted until the 18th.

Eligible applicants must have at least 20 years of clinical experience after obtaining a general medical license, or at least 10 years of experience working at a general hospital or higher-level facility after obtaining board certification.

The term of employment is one year from the date of hire, and the selected physician will rotate among public health centers and branch offices, providing general medical care, pre-vaccination screenings, and issuing medical certificates.

In addition, the county plans to conduct a pilot program for non-face-to-face and remote collaborative care targeting public health institutions that do not have a public health physician assigned.

Shinan County Governor Kim Tae-seong stated, “I hope we can hire the doctors the county desperately needs to strengthen medical welfare that county residents can truly feel,” adding, “We will continue to improve the healthcare system in medically underserved areas so that island residents can receive the same level of medical services as those in urban areas.”