Park Ji-won, Nominated by the Democratic Party, Says "In Life, I Even Praise President Yoon Suk-yeol..."

Praise for Promise to Establish Medical School in Jeonnam

Park Ji-won, former Director of the National Intelligence Service and the Democratic Party of Korea's candidate for the Jeonnam Haenam-Wando-Jindo constituency in the general election, unusually praised President Yoon Seok-yeol for his promise to establish a medical school in the region.

Former National Intelligence Service Director Park Ji-won [Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 15th, Park posted on Facebook, "In my life, I am praising President Yoon Seok-yeol," adding, "He came to Jeonnam and promised to designate a university to establish a medical school in Jeonnam, which is the only metropolitan local government area without a medical school except for Sejong City. That promise is the best." He continued, "If there is an increase in medical school admissions, prioritizing local universities rather than metropolitan ones is also very well done," and reiterated, "What he did well should be acknowledged."

However, he urged, "While I support the increase in medical school admissions, I repeatedly emphasize the need for communication with the medical community and gradual expansion." He also wrote, "Even if a medical school is established, the urgent matter is a university hospital," suggesting, "It would be good to first establish affiliated hospitals of Chonnam National University or Chosun University in Mokpo and Suncheon respectively, and later transfer them after establishing the Jeonnam medical school."

On the 14th, President Yoon Seok-yeol stated at the 20th Livelihood Discussion held at the Jeonnam Provincial Office in Muan-gun, Jeonnam, "I have repeatedly emphasized that if Honam prospers, Korea prospers," and announced plans to promote the establishment of a national medical school in Jeonnam.

This is not the first time Park has praised President Yoon. In May 2022, regarding President Yoon's appointment of female vice-ministerial officials, Park said, "The president's quick decision-making is extraordinary," adding, "Although the National Assembly confirmation hearings remain and there are controversies over some nominees' past remarks, the fact that he made appointments considering women is truly well done."