National University Hospitals Face Criticism for 'Mounting Deficits and Aging Facilities'... "Help Us Normalize Medical Services"

National Assembly Education Committee Audit of National University Hospitals
Ongoing Aging of Medical Equipment and Accumulating Deficits
"Continuous Requests for Increased Government Support, Please Help"

Jeongshin, director of Jeonnam National University Hospital, is attending the '2025 Education Committee National Assembly Audit' held at Jeonbuk National University in Jeonju, Jeonbuk on the 22nd and responding to inquiries. Photo by National Assembly Broadcasting.

During the National Assembly Education Committee's audit of Chonnam National University Hospital, calls were made to improve the quality of medical services and management conditions. Regional national university hospitals requested political support to address outdated facilities and financial difficulties.

At the national audit of regional base national universities and national university hospitals held at Jeonbuk National University on the 22nd, Moon Jungbok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Siheung-gap, Gyeonggi Province), pointed out, "Chonnam National University Hospital has 30 MRI machines, hemodialysis machines, and neonatal incubators that are between 10 and 15 years old, and 21 that are between 15 and 20 years old."

Assemblywoman Moon criticized, "The reason people living in non-metropolitan areas prefer hospitals in the capital region is because of the poor quality of medical equipment in local hospitals."

The usage period status of medical devices owned by Chonnam National University Hospital, disclosed by Moon Jung-bok, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, during the national audit of national universities and national university hospitals. Screenshot from National Assembly Broadcasting.

Jeongshin, director of Chonnam National University Hospital, explained, "The problem is financial, so we need support. We have been continuously requesting the government to increase support funds in the name of the Council of Regional National University Hospital Directors."

There were also calls to stabilize the hospital's finances, including eliminating deficits. Assemblywoman Moon stated, "Chonnam National University Hospital's borrowings were 20 billion won last year, but this year they have already reached 46 billion won. Please prepare and report a normalization plan." She added, "This situation should not be passed on to hospital workers. Is it acceptable that even meal vouchers cannot be provided to staff working during holidays?"

Kim Daesik, a member of the People Power Party (representing Sasang-gu, Busan), pointed out, "The Ministry of Health and Welfare planned to provide 13.5 billion won to Chonnam National University Hospital this year through the project to strengthen the final treatment capacity of 17 regional medical institutions. This project requires a 40% local government matching fund, but due to a lack of investment, the support was cut by half."

Concerns were also raised about the fairness of the disciplinary committee, which is operated solely by internal members. Jin Sunmi, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Gangdong-gap, Seoul), questioned, "Chonnam National University Hospital has not appointed a single external member. There is not even a proviso in the relevant regulations. Why is that?"

In response, Director Jeong explained, "The current management difficulties are due to conflicts between the medical association and the government, but regional national university hospitals have never had a favorable revenue structure. We are making our own efforts." Regarding the budget for the project to strengthen final treatment capacity, he added, "There seem to be difficulties due to financial disparities among local governments."

Choi Gukmyeong, director of Jeju National University Hospital, also commented, "Everyone knows national university hospitals are struggling. Because of the independent accounting system, there are not many ways to generate medical revenue, and we cannot receive direct support for operating expenses." He continued, "It would be helpful if there were legal measures to allow support for operating expenses. Currently, we receive about 25% support for facility and equipment costs and have to cover 75% ourselves, so there is barely any capacity to invest in MRIs or other expensive equipment. It would be better if a plan could be made to raise the support to about 75%."