[Interview] Rep. Kim Won-i: "Government Must Lead Jeonnam Medical School Promotion and Yubo Integration"

Priority on Establishing New Medical Schools in Jeonnam Region... Local Discussions to Follow

Awarded 'Appreciation Plaque' for Contributions to Childcare Facility Development

"The issue of establishing a medical school in the Jeonnam region requires both the eastern and western parts to raise their voices together. Once the primary goal of securing a medical school in Jeonnam is decided, discussions about establishing it in Mokpo or Suncheon should follow."

Kim Won-i, a member of the National Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea·Mokpo), stated this during an interview with Asia Economy held at his local office on the 25th regarding the establishment of a medical school in Jeonnam and the integration of childcare centers.

Rep. Kim said, "The reason I joined the Health and Welfare Committee was to achieve the attraction of a medical school in Jeonnam and to solve the regional imbalance in medical issues," expressing regret that "Jeonnam is the only metropolitan local government in the country without a medical school."

He continued, "This year, the Ministry of Health and Welfare plans to increase the quota for medical schools," adding, "I demanded to Minister Cho Kyu-hong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare that the increased medical school quota must include a share for the Jeonnam region, and I received a positive response."

He expressed confidence, saying, "The effects of persuading the Ministry of Health and Welfare have appeared, and the situation has progressed considerably," and "If a medical school is attracted to Jeonnam, the chronic problem of doctor shortages in Jeonnam's medical field will naturally be resolved."

Additionally, Rep. Kim emphasized the urgent need for measures, expressing concern about the difficulties in operating small-scale childcare facilities in rural fishing and farming areas.

On the 10th, Assemblyman Kim Won-i received a plaque of appreciation from the Jeonnam Childcare Center Association in recognition of his contributions to the development of childcare facilities.

On the 10th, Rep. Kim also received a plaque of appreciation from the Jeonnam Childcare Association in recognition of his contributions to the development of childcare facilities.

The Jeonnam Childcare Association awarded the plaque to commend Rep. Kim for resolving the labor cost issue by petitioning the Ministry of Health and Welfare, which had decided to stop supporting labor costs for directors of small-scale childcare centers with fewer than 18 children in rural fishing and farming areas nationwide.

Rep. Kim said, "Jeonnam was the region most affected by the suspension of labor cost support for small-scale childcare facilities," adding, "Due to the serious low birthrate problem, many childcare facilities are on the brink of closure, so the suspension of labor cost support for small-scale facilities was an urgent issue to resolve."

He also gave a positive evaluation of the childcare center integration but insisted that national-level support must be provided to ensure its smooth implementation.

Rep. Kim expressed concern, saying, "Childcare center integration is a task that must be accomplished, but there are too many issues to resolve," and "If childcare center integration proceeds without national financial support, Jeonnam, which has low financial independence, will suffer the most."

He stated, "The current local education finance grant system, where support funds are determined based on tax revenue, makes it difficult to secure a stable budget," and "The government should not irresponsibly shift financial issues related to childcare center integration onto metropolitan and provincial offices of education but should prepare support measures at the national level."

He added, "Before childcare center integration, the childcare system also needs to be reviewed," noting, "There are too many divisions in childcare centers, and the support rates vary greatly depending on each division," and emphasized again, "For consistent support, conversion to national and public childcare centers is urgent. Local governments must actively take the lead in this."

He concluded, "While working in the Health and Welfare Committee, I will do my best to attract a medical school to the Jeonnam region and solve health and welfare issues."