Discussion on Implementation Plans for the National Institute of Dental Research Regional Pledge in Cheonan

Chungnam Province and Dankook University Seek Strategies to Respond to Cheonan Establishment

Cheonan City in Chungnam Province, together with Dankook University and others, has begun preparing a response strategy for the establishment of the National Institute of Dental Science in Cheonan.

Cheonan City in Chungnam Province, together with Dankook University and others, has begun preparing a response strategy for the establishment of the National Dental Research Institute in Cheonan.

On the 26th, the city jointly held a practical meeting on the "Establishment of the National Dental Research Institute in Cheonan" with Chungnam Province, Dankook University, and other stakeholders.

This meeting was convened in response to growing concerns that, although the Ministry of Health and Welfare recently began a design service for the President's pledge to establish the National Dental Research Institute, the site selection was omitted, raising fears that a nationwide competition might be held.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare has stated that, separate from the current research service, it intends to select the institute's location within this year. However, with Cheonan, Busan, Gwangju, and Daegu all competing to attract the institute, competition among local governments has become inevitable.

During the meeting, participants reviewed the progress of the province-wide campaign to collect one million signatures, which is being promoted with Chungnam Province, and agreed to carry out various activities to promote the justification for establishing the institute in Cheonan and to fulfill the President's regional pledge.

Mayor Park Sangdon stated, "A nationwide competition could cause unnecessary controversy and waste administrative resources, so the establishment of the National Dental Research Institute in Cheonan, which is a presidential regional pledge, should proceed as a designated project rather than through a national competition. We will continue to work together with Chungnam Province to ensure that the Dental Research Institute is established in Cheonan."