Jeollanam-do Accelerates Toward 2026 Opening Goal
Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University to Receive Medical School Enrollment Quotas in March
Approval for 'University Integration' to Be Pursued in April
Jeollanam-do plans to concentrate all administrative capabilities this year to establish a national medical school. Provided by Jeonnam Province
Jeollanam-do is focusing its efforts on establishing a national medical school, which has become uncertain in the aftermath of the unconstitutional martial law situation.
According to Jeollanam-do on the 28th, the province received a government request in March last year to "fully gather local opinions to select a university for the establishment of a medical school." In response, the province gathered consensus from residents and various sectors and recommended the "Integrated University National Medical School" to the government in November.
During this process, Jeollanam-do managed to achieve an agreement for integration between Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University, despite several challenges.
Ultimately, the province is being recognized for recommending an integrated medical school that aligns with the spirit of regional coexistence and harmony, achieving results beyond the government's request.
The two universities are currently proceeding rapidly with procedures, aiming to open the integrated university in March 2026.
In November last year, they applied for preliminary accreditation from the Korean Institute of Medical Education and Evaluation, and on December 31, they submitted an application for university integration to the Ministry of Education under the provisional name "National Korea First University."
Recently, Choi Sangmok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, expressed the government's intention to reconsider the increase in medical school enrollment from scratch for the 2026 academic year, raising concerns about the establishment of a new medical school in Jeollanam-do.
However, the dominant opinion is that the establishment of a medical school in Jeollanam-do, which is considered a "medical wasteland," should be addressed separately from the issue of enrollment increases.
Furthermore, Jeollanam-do officials explained that the government's policy remains unchanged.
Jeollanam-do maintains that, regardless of political instability, a medical school must be established in the province, which is the largest medically underserved area in the country and the only region without a medical school.
Above all, Jeollanam-do emphasizes that the establishment of a national medical school in the province is a promise made to the public by the government through an official address, carrying even greater weight than an official document. Public opinion in the region is that, as promised by the government, enrollment quotas should be allocated to the integrated medical school in Jeollanam-do and the establishment process should be expedited.
Despite the challenging situation, Jeollanam-do is more determined and confident than ever to steadfastly pursue the establishment of the integrated medical school in cooperation with the two universities. The province plans to do its utmost to open the "Integrated University National Medical School" in 2026, aiming to finalize enrollment quotas in March and secure approval for university integration in April this year.
Kim Yungrok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, emphasized, "Establishing a medical school in Jeollanam-do is essential to secure residents' rights to health and life and to achieve regional medical self-sufficiency," adding, "We will mobilize all the capabilities of our residents to ensure the successful establishment of the integrated medical school."
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