Governor Kim Young-rok Meets National Assembly Speaker to Discuss 'Integrated Medical School' and Other Issues

Request for Establishment of Namhaean Comprehensive Development Agency and Increase in SOC Budget

Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok is meeting Woo Won-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, at the National Assembly in Seoul on the 20th to request cooperation from the National Assembly for resolving major provincial administration issues. Photo by Jeonnam Province

On the 20th, Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, visited the National Assembly and met with Woo Won-sik, Speaker of the National Assembly, Jin Sung-jun, Chairman of the Democratic Party Policy Committee, and lawmakers Ahn Do-geol and Seo Mi-hwa to request the establishment of an integrated medical school and the resolution of regional issues, as well as an increase in next year’s budget by the National Assembly.

Regarding the establishment of a medical school in Jeollanam-do, Governor Kim explained the integration agreement between Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University, then proposed, “If we recommend the ‘integrated medical school’ to the government on the 22nd, please actively support the government to promptly proceed with the procedures for establishing a new national medical school and allocating quotas in 2026.”

He emphasized the necessity of establishing the ‘South Coast Comprehensive Development Agency,’ involving Jeollanam-do, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Busan, and the early enactment of the related law, the ‘South Coast Development Special Act.’

He also proposed extending the investigation period for fact-finding on the Yeosu-Suncheon Incident and restoring the honor of victims and bereaved families, expanding the investigation personnel of the Central Committee, and promptly deciding on victims and bereaved families.

Governor Kim further stressed the need to enact the ‘Jeollanam-do Special Self-Governing Province Act to Overcome the Crisis of Local Extinction,’ so that Jeollanam-do, the region facing the greatest risk of local extinction, can receive significant authority over its comparative advantage industries such as energy, tourism, agriculture and fisheries, and advanced industries to create growth momentum.

Meanwhile, regarding the 2025 budget proposal, Governor Kim requested, “To complete SOC projects planned as catalysts for regional economic development and tourism revitalization within the scheduled period, securing more than 1 trillion won in project costs is necessary,” and asked for cooperation to ensure an increase during the National Assembly’s review process.