Jeonnam Western Region Urges "Decision on Integration of Mokpo and Suncheon National Universities" ... Calls for Establishment of National Medical School

Government Requires Submission of Medical School Establishment Plans by the 20th
"Approach the Creation of Jeonnam's Healthcare System Beyond Regional Competition and Interests"

Political figures, public officials, and civil society organizations from the western region of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeonnam called a press conference on the afternoon of August 11, stressing that the last opportunity in 36 years to establish a national medical school must not be missed, and urged the swift integration of Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University.

Civil society groups in the western region of Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeollanam-do, urged the integration of medical schools. Photo by Seunghyun Jeong

With the government having selected Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeonnam and North Gyeongsang Province as candidate regions for establishing new medical schools by the 2030 academic year—and requiring submission of medical school establishment proposals by August 20—the question of whether Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University can integrate has become a critical turning point for the founding of a national medical school in Jeonnam.

Since the government has demanded that the two universities reach an agreement on integration as a prerequisite for establishing a new medical school, there is growing concern in the region that failing to reach such an agreement by the deadline may jeopardize the creation itself of a national medical school in Jeonnam.

The political, administrative, and civic groups of the western region stated: "For the past 36 years, residents of the western region have appealed to remedy some of the most severe healthcare shortages in Korea, calling for protection of their right to life. Now, with the ultimate goal of founding a national medical school within reach, both universities must refrain from further hesitation and make a historic decision."

They particularly emphasized that the current discussion about integration should not be approached as a matter of regional interests between Mokpo and Suncheon or as a competition over the locations of medical schools and university hospitals.

They claimed, "The integration of Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University is not about which region gains more. It is a historic choice to resolve decades-old healthcare disparities and to establish a regionally complete healthcare system that enables residents of both the eastern and western regions to receive the medical services they need, when they need them."

They further urged, "We must look beyond regional competition and interests, and approach this from the broad perspective of redesigning the entire healthcare system in Jeonnam. Through integration, both universities should take joint responsibility for the future of the region and the lives of its residents."

They also called on the government to provide active support and promptly carry out the necessary follow-up procedures.

The civil society and government leaders of the western region highlighted that establishing a national medical school and university hospital would not only fulfill the national policy goal of 'creating medical schools in regions that currently have none,' but would also mark the starting point for achieving balanced national development by resolving serious regional healthcare disparities.

Regarding Gwangju Metropolitan City, Jeonnam, they urged the authorities to implement the 'Medical Town Project' for the western area and the 'Medical Innovation Town Project' for the eastern area without delay, as announced in the 'Ultra-Metropolitan Integration Medical Belt' plan on July 27, as well as to deliver on their administrative and financial support promises for establishing a national medical school.

In particular, voices in the western region are growing stronger in calling for the construction of a Medical Town—linking a medical school, university hospital, and medical research institute—to resolve longstanding healthcare shortages and to establish a healthcare system in which diagnosis and treatment can be fully completed within the region.

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