Jeon Gyeongseon Raises Provincial Assembly Questions at the 392nd Extraordinary Session
Maternal Mortality Rate in the Region: 34.08 per 100,000
Reiterates Urgent Need for Prompt Establishment of Integrated Medical School
Criticizes Lack of Speaking Opportunities at Town Hall Meeting
Jeon Gyeongseon, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly, is seen asking questions about provincial administration at the 392nd extraordinary session held on the 21st. Provided by Jeonnam Provincial Assembly
It was pointed out at the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly that the maternal mortality rate in the Mokpo region of Jeonnam is three times higher than the national average. The urgent need to expand medical infrastructure was once again emphasized.
Jeon Gyeongseon, a member of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly (Democratic Party of Korea, Mokpo 5), stressed during the 392nd extraordinary session held on the 21st that the establishment of a national medical school is a 35-year-long aspiration directly tied to the lives of residents and the future of Jeonnam, and criticized the provincial government's lukewarm response.
Quoting data from the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, Jeon stated, "The maternal mortality rate in the Mokpo region of Jeonnam (Mokpo City and Shinan County) is 34.08 per 100,000 people, which is more than three times the national average."
He continued, "This is not just a simple statistic, but a chilling figure that shows the right to life of our residents is directly threatened. This highest rate in the country is a warning that highlights the serious lack of access to emergency medical care in the Mokpo region," adding, "The shortage of medical infrastructure leads to the outflow of young people and low birth rates, which ultimately threatens the future of Jeonnam as a serious structural problem."
He also reiterated the significance of improving regional medical infrastructure, including the establishment of a national medical school.
Jeon emphasized, "The push to establish a national medical school in Jeonnam originated from the desperate cry of residents in the southwestern region, including Mokpo, for the right to survive." He explained, "Since 1990, there have been continuous efforts from the local community, such as civic movements, petition drives, Mokpo National University's application to establish a medical school, and recommendations from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The establishment of a medical school has been an earnest wish of the residents of the southwestern region for 35 years."
He also criticized the provincial government's irresponsible behavior of describing the competition to attract a medical school as a 'conflict.'
Jeon said, "It is very regrettable that the establishment of a national medical school in Jeonnam has been portrayed as a 'conflict' between regions. In reality, it has been a competitive structure between the eastern and western regions, and the administration bears significant responsibility for failing to properly coordinate this."
He particularly pointed out, "Residents are more interested in having a medical school and an affiliated hospital established in Jeonnam, where medical infrastructure is severely lacking, rather than in university integration. The 1 billion won research project merely confirmed the decision to integrate the medical schools and presented its predetermined conclusion."
Finally, he said, "At the recent town hall meeting, many residents were not even given the opportunity to speak about the establishment of a national medical school. I feel that simply saying 'there was no opportunity' is not enough to explain why the issue was not addressed as an agenda item, and that there was a lack of administrative preparation and political sensitivity," expressing the disappointment and frustration of the residents.
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