'Mokpo National University and Sunchon National University End Renewed Negotiations Over South Jeolla Medical School Integration With No Agreement'

No Consensus Reached in July 20 Negotiations,
Conflicts Between Universities Resurface


Momentum for Integration Weakens...
New National Medical School Faces Its Biggest Hurdle in 30 Years

The discussion regarding the integration of Mokpo National University and Sunchon National University, which had been pursued on the premise of establishing new national medical schools, is effectively coming to an end without reaching common ground, even during renewed negotiations. After the mediation proposal by Min Hyung-bae, head of the transitional committee for the South Jeolla-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, was rejected, the last round of negotiations between the two universities also ended without results, casting a shadow over the plan to open new medical schools in 2030.

According to officials from the South Jeolla-Gwangju Special Metropolitan City, Mokpo National University, Sunchon National University, and other relevant parties on July 21, the two universities met again in Boseong on July 20 for a final round of negotiations.

However, the meeting ended without narrowing the gap on key issues that had been contentious throughout the process, including the locations of the university headquarters, the medical school, the university hospital, and the distribution of authority within the integrated university.

Furthermore, disputes over what was actually discussed erupted immediately after the talks, further deepening the conflict between the two institutions.

A view of Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University campuses

Mokpo National University issued a statement that day, expressing strong regret, saying, "The interview with a Sunchon National University official reported in some media outlets after the July 20 discussions on the establishment of a national medical school in South Jeolla Province does not reflect the facts."

The university further emphasized, "It is not true that there were any new proposals during the meetings, nor that Sunchon National University made a counter-proposal while Mokpo National University did not express a separate position, as reported. In reality, there was no substantial progress in the discussions."

Mokpo National University continued, "We only requested that, if Sunchon National University had a new proposal that could gain the consent of all its members, it should present it officially. Even in the event of a new proposal, whether it would be acceptable to our faculty, staff, and the local community is a separate matter."

Even this statement from Mokpo National University clearly suggests the significant differences in perception between the two universities.

Previously, the transitional committee led by Min Hyung-bae proposed a compromise to break the deadlock in the integration talks: locating the headquarters and medical school of the integrated university in Mokpo, initially establishing a 500-bed university hospital in Suncheon, and eventually building an additional university hospital in Mokpo as a long-term plan.

However, while Mokpo National University accepted this proposal, Sunchon National University effectively rejected it, so the mediation ended in failure.

The two universities had to complete the Ministry of Education's procedures for integration in order to establish new national medical schools, but as the negotiations stalled, the momentum for integration has been significantly weakened.

Locally and beyond, there is growing concern that the 30-year-long aspiration of South Jeolla Province to establish new national medical schools may be derailed amid conflicting interests between the universities.

A local education official commented, "Both universities agree on the necessity of new medical schools, but neither is willing to compromise on key interests such as the locations of the university headquarters, medical school, and hospital. Given the current atmosphere, the integration talks have effectively returned to square one."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.