'Uproar' Outside Democratic Party Supreme Council Meeting in Jeonnam-Gwangju... Protests Over Medical School, Work Locations, Special Zone Act

Calls for a Medical School in the Southwestern Region and Guarantees of Previous Work Locations
Civic Groups Urge Withdrawal of the Super-Regional Mega Special Zone Act
Kim Minseok and Min Hyeongbae Hold Separate Meeting with Medical School Committee

On November 11, when the leadership of the Democratic Party of Korea visited Jeonnam-Gwangju, civic groups, public officials' unions and others continued to protest outside the meeting venue, calling for local issues to be addressed. Their demands ranged from establishing a medical school and guaranteeing public officials' work locations to withdrawing the Super-Regional Mega Special Zone Act.

Before the Democratic Party's on-site Supreme Council meeting was held that morning at the Gwangju office of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Council, representatives of the Southwestern Region Medical School Emergency Response Committee, the Gwangju branch of the Korean Government Employees' Union, and local civic groups gathered outside the venue.

On the morning of the 11th, officials from the Southwest Region Medical School Emergency Response Committee hold a press conference at the Gwangju office of the Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City Council after meeting with Kim Minseok, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Min Hyungbae, special mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City. Photo by Song Bohyun

They held banners and placards and presented their demands to Democratic Party leaders, including party leader Kim Minseok. They also handed letters and press conference statements to the leaders as they headed to the meeting and called for party-level measures.

The Southwestern Region Medical School Emergency Response Committee called for the establishment of a medical school at Mokpo National University. It said the Mokpo branch of Chonnam National University Hospital, which does not include a medical school or medical education facilities, would not be enough to address the region's healthcare problems.

The committee said a new medical school was needed to treat emergency and critically ill patients and train essential healthcare personnel. It also called for the release of review materials from the selection process. In particular, it said allegations of unfairness raised during the final selection process must be addressed and residents' opinions gathered.

The Gwangju branch of the public officials' union said the principle of guaranteeing employees' previous work locations must be upheld so they can continue working where they were stationed before the administrative merger. It also called for a halt to revisions of the relevant provisions.

A coalition of civic groups in Jeonnam-Gwangju called for the withdrawal of the Super-Regional Mega Special Zone Act. Citing concerns that the bill could infringe on labor rights and harm the environment, it stressed that a social body should be formed to discuss balanced regional development and that residents' opinions should be gathered.

After the meeting, the Southwestern Region Medical School Emergency Response Committee held a closed-door meeting lasting about 10 minutes with party leader Kim and Min Hyeongbae, mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City.

Kim reportedly said that if the committee first discussed the matter with Mayor Min and then conveyed the results to the party, the party would engage in dialogue. The committee therefore decided to convey its demands through Mayor Min.

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