Pohang City Holds Pan-Citizen Resolution Rally... Over 1,000 Citizens Gather
Deputy Governors of Yeongdeok and Uljin Attend, United Voice Urging Establishment of East Coast Region
Mayor Lee Kang-deok: "We Will Mobilize Nationwide Cooperation
The will and aspiration of citizens have united to urge the establishment of the ‘POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School,’ the largest local issue in Pohang City.
Citizens' Resolution Rally Urging the Establishment of a Research-Oriented Medical School at POSTECH. [Image Source=Pohang City]
On the 27th, Pohang City, together with Gyeongbuk Province and POSTECH, held the ‘Citywide Citizens’ Resolution Rally to Urge the Establishment of the POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School’ at the Daejam Hall in the Culture Building of Pohang City Hall.
This resolution rally was organized to urge the establishment of a research-oriented medical school aimed at nurturing new physician-scientists and realizing bio-national service, following the recent government announcement of plans to expand medical school quotas, and to consolidate the unified will and determination of the citizens.
The event was attended by Lee Kang-deok, Mayor of Pohang; Baek In-gyu, Chairperson of Pohang City Council; National Assembly members Kim Jeong-jae and Kim Byeong-wook; Park Yong-seon, Vice Chairperson of Gyeongbuk Provincial Council; Kim Min-seok, Director of Policy at Gyeongbuk Province; Kim Jong-gyu, Vice President of POSTECH; members of the POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School Establishment Promotion Committee; and about 1,000 citizens representing various sectors including local industry, academia, research, and government organizations, adding enthusiasm to the event.
The event began with a report on the ‘POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School Establishment Plan’ by Professor Kim Cheol-hong of the POSTECH Graduate School of Medical Science and Engineering. Professor Kim introduced plans for the research-oriented medical school (with an admission quota of 50 students and an 8-year education period) and a smart hospital (with 500 beds), emphasizing the necessity and justification for establishing the ‘POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School’ as a cornerstone for future bio-national service and a new model for national balanced development through innovation in regional healthcare.
Following this, a ‘Citywide Signature Campaign Launch Performance’ was held to urge the establishment of the ‘POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School’ and to consolidate the hopes and determination of the citizens. Starting the first signature, Mayor Lee Kang-deok and other key guests appealed to the citizens to actively participate so that 200,000 signatures could be achieved as soon as possible.
Notably, the event saw participation from the deputy governors of Yeongdeok and Uljin County, member cities of the East Coast Win-Win Council, who expressed their intention to actively join the signature campaign, agreeing to unite efforts with East Coast cities for the establishment of the POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School.
Additionally, representing the citizens, Kim Seon-ja, Chairperson of the Pohang City Federation of Neighborhood Associations; Son Dong-gwang, Chairperson of the Pohang Youth Policy Coordination Committee; and Kim Seong-young, CEO of a Pohang bio company, announced the ‘Resolution to Urge the Establishment of the POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School.’
In the resolution, they stated, “The establishment of the POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School, which will successfully nurture physician-scientists and lead national balanced development, is a hope not only for the region but for the nation and humanity,” strongly urging the government to make decisive actions such as expanding medical school quotas and granting establishment approval.
The event concluded with a performance urging the establishment of the POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School, with all 1,000 participants chanting slogans such as ‘Bio-National Service Pohang,’ ‘Future-Oriented Physician-Scientist Training,’ and ‘Establishment of POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School,’ amid the passionate cheers and support of the citizens.
Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “We will not stop at 200,000 signatures reflecting the earnest wishes and determination of the citizens, but will surpass 300,000 and 400,000, gathering cooperation and capabilities on a broad regional scale to ensure the establishment of the POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School.”
The desire to nurture physician-scientists has been confirmed not only locally but nationwide. According to a survey conducted by the Korea Management Association Consulting targeting 1,000 people nationwide, 88.6% agreed that fusion research between medicine and science is important for fostering the bioindustry, and 78.4% responded that the establishment of medical schools or graduate medical schools to train physician-scientists is necessary.
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