Gwon Gwangtaek, Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Member: "TK Administrative Integration Pours Cold Water on Northern Gyeongbuk Region"

Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Condemns 5-Minute Inquiry
“Opposition Also in Pohang, Andong, and Yecheon”

Kwon Kwangtaek, a member of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council (People Power Party, Andong 2), announced that he will deliver a five-minute free speech at the 347th 3rd plenary session on the 21st, urging the establishment of a national university medical school in Gyeongbuk Province and expressing strong concerns about the administrative integration of Gyeongbuk and Daegu.

In his pre-released five-minute speech, Councilor Kwon explained the urgent need for the establishment of a national medical school in Gyeongbuk, stating, "While Jeonnam has received a promise for the establishment of a public medical school, Gyeongbuk, which supported as a running mate, not only lacks results but even seems to lack the will to proceed," criticizing the frustrating situation.

Gyeongbuk Provincial Council Member Kwon Kwangtaek

Kwon further stated, "Increasing the number of medical school admissions cannot be an absolute solution for medically underserved regions like Gyeongbuk," and strongly urged, "If the solution is to simply increase admissions, it will only accelerate the medical gap. I firmly assert that the only way to resolve the issues of medical imbalance and vulnerability is to establish a medical school at National Andong University."

Kwon also said, "Not only in the northern region but also across Gyeongbuk, including the Pohang City Council, there are concerns about the hasty administrative integration," adding, "The current integration discussions are like pouring cold water on wounds that have not yet healed in the northern region. We cannot simply hand over such a critical issue, which concerns the future of 2.6 million people, to political interests," expressing his concerns firmly.

Meanwhile, following the SNS remarks by Daegu Mayor Hong Joonpyo and the response from Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheolwoo in May, the administrative integration of Gyeongbuk and Daegu has gained momentum. On the 10th, the Pohang City Council raised the issue of a "complete re-examination of the unilateral Daegu-Gyeongbuk integration."

At the 347th regular session of the Gyeongbuk Provincial Council, Lee Sunhee (Cheongdo), Heo Bok (Gumi), and Park Chaea (Gyeongsan) each questioned Governor Lee Cheolwoo about concerns regarding the ongoing Gyeongbuk-Daegu administrative integration. It has also been reported that Yecheon County Council and Andong City Council are planning to adopt resolutions opposing the administrative integration.