Gathering Capabilities to Establish POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School! ... 'Pan-Citizen Signature Campaign' Kicks Off

Signature Campaign Begins at Key Locations Including Jukdo Market and Space Walk

Signature Booths Installed in Medical Institutions, Mobilizing All Citizens' Efforts

Mayor Lee Gang-deok: "Gathering Citizens' Will to Lead Balanced Development

The power of citizens is coming together in one place to urge the establishment of the ‘POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School,’ the region’s biggest issue.

At the November 27th nationwide citizen rally urging the establishment of a research-oriented medical school at POSTECH, Mayor Lee Kang-deok of Pohang marked the beginning of the signature campaign with the first signature.

Pohang City has launched a full-scale signature campaign to urge the government to expand medical school quotas and establish a research-oriented medical school.

On the 27th of last month, at the ‘POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School Establishment Civic Resolution Rally’ attended by about 1,000 citizens representing various sectors of the region, Mayor Lee Kang-deok marked the start of the signature campaign with the first signature.

Since then, signature booths have been set up at 29 eup, myeon, and dong administrative welfare centers, and about 40 signature booths have been installed mainly in major key areas with high foot traffic such as Yeongildae Beach, Jukdo Market, and Space Walk, actively conducting the signature campaign. The campaign will later be expanded to other cities and counties within Gyeongsangbuk-do.

In particular, despite opposition from the medical community against expanding medical school quotas, the cooperation of hospitals for regional medical improvement has led to the installation of a signature booth inside Pohang Semyung Christian Hospital, showing that the medical community is also sharing the citizens’ hopes and determination for the establishment of the ‘POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School.’

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “Despite the cold weather, the earnest hopes and determination of the citizens shown at the civic resolution rally were more passionate than ever,” adding, “Now, through the signature campaign, we will gather the citizens’ sincere will and definitely establish the POSTECH Research-Oriented Medical School, which will lead national balanced development beyond the region.”

The city plans to carry out the signature campaign aiming to gather the cooperation and capabilities of more than 200,000 people across the region by December 31, and will deliver the signed petitions to the Presidential Office, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Ministry of Education, and other relevant central government agencies and the National Assembly to convey the citizens’ earnest wishes.