"A Chonnam National University Hospital Branch Isn't Nearly Enough"... Mokpo National University Doubles Down on New Medical School

Task Force: "Major Uncertainty Over Funding and Staffing for Branch Proposal"
Urges Assemblyman Kim Woni to "Work Together to Establish a Medical School"

As local calculations grow increasingly complex over the establishment of a national medical school in the Jeonnam region, Mokpo National University has pushed back against the proposal for a Mokpo branch of Chonnam National University Hospital, saying its “practical limitations are clear.” The university has reaffirmed its firm belief that establishing a medical school, which would train doctors locally, is the only way to fill the medical care gap in the southwestern region, going beyond simply attracting a hospital.

On November 13, the Special Task Force on the Establishment of Mokpo National University College of Medicine issued a statement wishing Assemblyman Kim Woni a speedy recovery and expressing its deep gratitude for his dedication and efforts over the years to establish a medical school in Mokpo.

Mokpo National University Logo

However, the task force made clear that measures to address medical care in the southwestern region must be based on feasibility and sustainability, and firmly rejected the proposal to build a Mokpo hospital affiliated with Chonnam National University.

Regarding the proposal to build a Chonnam National University hospital in Mokpo, the task force stressed that “it must be backed by the building entity’s firm commitment, funding, medical personnel, and concrete plans for ongoing operations.”

It added, “Without these conditions being sufficiently secured, it is difficult to regard the proposal for a branch of Chonnam National University Hospital as a practical alternative to establishing a medical school at Mokpo National University.” It said a cautious approach was needed to ensure that local residents’ long-standing hopes do not once again lead to an uncertain project and a prolonged wait.

Mokpo National University has underscored the need to build a “sustainable healthcare system.” The task force emphasized that “what the southwestern region needs is not merely the construction of a hospital, but a sustainable healthcare system that educates and trains medical personnel locally and enables them to settle in the region.”

Mokpo National University has secured a site for a hospital and spent many years preparing to establish a medical school toward this goal. It maintains that a new medical school is essential to address the southwestern region’s shortage of medical services and train local medical personnel.

The task force also said it fully agreed with Assemblyman Kim’s commitment to clarifying allegations of unfairness in the selection process for a national medical school. Mokpo National University, too, said it would continue its efforts to establish the facts surrounding the allegations and seek a fair judgment through the legal proceedings currently underway.

The task force asked Assemblyman Kim to closely examine the practical limitations of the proposal for a Chonnam National University Hospital branch and work with the local community to develop concrete plans to establish a medical school at Mokpo National University.

Mokpo National University is currently consolidating its position on building a healthcare system in the southwestern region and establishing a medical school. Once the university community’s views have been gathered, it plans to promptly arrange a meeting with Assemblyman Kim to have an open discussion on a joint response to the region’s medical care challenges.

Kang Ilguk, chair of the task force, said, “To protect the lives and right to health of residents in the southwestern region, we need a sustainable healthcare system that not only expands medical facilities but also trains medical personnel locally and helps them settle in the region.” He added, “We will continue to communicate closely with the local community, including Assemblyman Kim Woni, and work responsibly to establish a medical school at Mokpo National University and strengthen the healthcare infrastructure in the southwestern region.”

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