Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok and Minister of Health and Welfare Cho Kyu-hyung Discuss Jeonnam Issues

Allocation of Quotas for National Medical Schools and Birth Allowances

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, visited the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the 9th to propose local issues aimed at overcoming the crisis of regional extinction and improving health and welfare in Jeollanam-do.

On this day, Governor Kim expressed his gratitude to Minister Cho Kyu-hong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare, saying, “Despite difficult financial conditions, I appreciate your great support, including your keen interest in Jeollanam-do projects and the government’s announcement regarding the establishment of a national medical school.” He added, “I request active support to resolve local issues to lay the foundation for a great leap forward for Jeollanam-do.”

In particular, regarding the establishment of the Jeollanam-do National Medical School, he stated, “In response to the government’s request, we are preparing a government-recommended university selection service through a ‘public contest’ to fairly and rationally collect residents’ opinions, and we will report the selection results around September to October.” He also requested, “Please allocate ‘200 new student quotas for the 2026 academic year for the Jeollanam-do National Medical School’ in the May college entrance examination implementation plan.”

In response, Minister Cho said, “We will comprehensively review all matters related to medical issues.”

Regarding the government-recommended university selection through the ‘public contest’ prepared by Jeollanam-do, he said, “It should be carried out as the President and Prime Minister have stated.”

Governor Kim also spoke about the Jeollanam-do and city/county 318 birth allowance, saying, “Despite difficult conditions, this project was initiated to break the trend of ultra-low birth rates and make Jeollanam-do a good place to have and raise children.” He requested, “Please conduct progressive and prompt social security system consultations to ensure the project proceeds as planned.”

He continued, “Regarding policies responding to low birth rates such as childbirth encouragement and child-rearing, please grant local governments broad discretion in social security system consultations,” requesting an amendment to the ‘Framework Act on Social Security.’

In this regard, Minister Cho stated, “The Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee is preparing groundbreaking measures, so it would be good for Jeollanam-do to refer to these.” He added, “We will positively review the social security consultations on the birth allowance proposed by Jeollanam-do as soon as possible, and especially prioritize regions like Jeollanam-do with high population extinction risk.”

Governor Kim proposed regarding the allowance of on-duty work for public health doctors, “Please actively cooperate to allow flexible working hours for public health doctors operating in the region and enable their use as on-duty personnel during nights and holidays only at emergency medical institutions in vulnerable areas.”

Minister Cho responded, “I agree on the necessity to expand on-duty work for public health doctors in emergency medical vulnerable areas.” He added, “This requires comprehensive review including legal amendments, and we will actively consider Jeollanam-do as a priority pilot region.”