"A Watershed Moment for the Establishment of Jeonnam National Medical School and the Region's Future"
On the 22nd at 11 a.m., Jeon Nam-do Assembly member Choi Seon-guk and others held a press briefing at the Jeon Nam-do Assembly briefing room, issuing an appeal urging active interest and participation from the members of Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University regarding the integration referendum of the two universities. Provided by Jeon Nam-do Assembly
The Special Committee for Supporting the Establishment of a National Medical School at the Integrated University of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly issued an appeal on December 22, ahead of the Ministry of Education’s consolidation review committee decision, calling for active interest and participation from members of both Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University regarding the two-day integration referendum starting on the same day.
In its statement, the special committee emphasized, “The establishment of the Jeonnam Integrated University and the attraction of a national medical school represent a critical turning point that will allow Jeonnam to simultaneously overcome crises in healthcare, education, and population, and will determine the region’s long-term future. With the government’s final policy decision approaching, now is a crucial time when responsible choices by the local community and university members are more important than ever.”
In reality, Jeonnam has long faced structural challenges, including inadequate essential healthcare infrastructure, poor access to emergency medical services, rapid aging, and an outflow of young people.
The committee explained that establishing a national medical school is essential as a key solution to these complex crises, and that the integrated university provides the most important institutional foundation for making this a reality.
The committee stated, “This integration referendum is more than a simple internal opinion survey; it is a critical process to unify the will of university members and clearly convey Jeonnam’s determination for integration to the government and the Ministry of Education. The results will also serve as meaningful reference data in future policy decisions.”
Furthermore, the committee stressed, “Now is the time to move beyond competition between universities and unite as one under the name of Jeonnam. To achieve the goal of opening in 2027, discussions on integration must accelerate, and universities, local governments, political circles, and the local community must work together as ‘One Team.’”
The special committee concluded by reiterating, “The key to integration lies in the hands of the members of both universities. The wise decisions and active participation of Suncheon National University and Mokpo National University members will be the decisive force in advancing the establishment of the Jeonnam National Medical School and the future of Jeonnam.”
Meanwhile, the Special Committee for Supporting the Establishment of a National Medical School at the Integrated University of the Jeonnam Provincial Assembly plans to continue activities to build consensus in the local community and coordinate with the government and the Ministry of Education to ensure the smooth progress of the integrated university’s launch and the establishment of the national medical school.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
