Assemblyman Joo Chul-hyun: "Establishing Yeosu University Hospital, Prioritizing Citizen Consensus"

Discussion on the 18th with Suncheon National University Professor Participation... Fairness Controversy

Assemblyman Joo: "Promoting a Discussion Centered on Yeosu Citizens"

Assemblyman Joo Chul-hyun was scheduled to participate in the debate titled ‘Finding the Most Realistic Plan for Establishing a University Hospital in Yeosu,’ proposed by the Yeosu Civic Society Coalition and accepted by the local broadcaster, to be held on the 18th.

However, controversy over fairness has arisen as the panel for the debate includes the chairman of the Suncheon National University Medical School Establishment Promotion Committee and a related party who has emphasized the ‘necessity of Suncheon National University Medical School,’ neither of whom are from Yeosu.

[Photo by Joo Cheol-hyun]

In response, Assemblyman Joo Chul-hyun pointed out, “Although the debate is supposed to be a public forum to inform Yeosu citizens about the feasibility of establishing a university hospital in Yeosu, including a Suncheon National University official unrelated to Yeosu is an act that disregards Yeosu citizens by supporting the attraction of Suncheon National University Medical School rather than the establishment of a Yeosu university hospital,” and called for the normalization of the debate.

The debate originated from the ‘Yeosu Civic Society Coalition for the Expansion of Public Healthcare in Yeosu,’ which included civic groups such as Yeosu YMCA, Yeosu YWCA, and Yeosu Citizens’ Coalition for Economic Justice, held on the 10th of last month. It was deemed necessary to provide citizens with an opportunity to empathize through accurate information delivery regarding the university hospital policy promoted by local members of the National Assembly.

Since the purpose was to ‘find local solutions,’ the panel composition was agreed to include ‘representatives from Yeosu civic groups recommended by each of the two National Assembly members,’ with one person recommended by each of the Yeosu Gap and Yeosu Eul constituencies.

Accordingly, Assemblyman Kim Hoe-jae’s side made the final recommendation and notification of a Suncheon National University professor who is the ‘Chairman of the Suncheon National University Medical School Attraction Promotion Committee,’ while Assemblyman Joo Chul-hyun recommended the ‘Chairman of the Yeosu University Consolidation Implementation Promotion Committee.’

During the consultation process, a person from Assemblyman Joo’s side was excluded without any particular reason.

The civic groups also faced criticism for fairness when they attempted to include a civic group official who had emphasized the ‘necessity of Suncheon Medical School’ on the local broadcast as a panelist.

Initially, Assemblyman Joo Chul-hyun had planned to participate in this broadcast debate, considering it a good opportunity to find the most realistic plan for the establishment of a university hospital in Yeosu, a key local issue.

Currently, Assemblyman Joo stated, “There is no plan for establishing a Yeosu university hospital, and the debate is abnormal as it only pours out claims from Suncheon people and advocates for the establishment of Suncheon National University Medical School. We are demanding the normalization of this debate.” He also criticized, “However, Assemblyman Kim Hoe-jae, who recommended the Suncheon National University professor, is politically exploiting the situation by misleading the facts in public events, suggesting that I unilaterally canceled the promised debate.”

Assemblyman Joo said, “I cannot help but ask whether Kim’s claim of ‘Suncheon Medical School, Yeosu University Hospital’ is sincere and feasible, or if his statement at a public event late last year that ‘It’s okay if the university hospital doesn’t come to Yeosu and is given to Suncheon instead’ was his true intention.”

He added, “If you are a citizen of Yeosu, you should unite to fulfill the government’s promise made when Yeosu University was absorbed and integrated into Chonnam National University in 2005 to establish a university hospital-level medical institution in Yeosu. It is only regrettable that elected officials in the Yeosu area disparage, speak negatively, and obstruct this.”

He continued, “Through the ‘Debate on Realistic Plans for the Construction of Yeosu University Hospital,’ centered on Yeosu citizens, we will work together with civic groups to quickly gather local opinions.”

Yeosu = Choi Cheol-hoon, Honam Reporting Headquarters, Asia Economy hss79@asiae.co.kr