Jeonnam Medical School Plan Stalls Again as Mokpo and Suncheon University Integration Vote Fails

Opposition Grows Among Suncheon University Students in Integration Vote
Joint Integration Committee Convenes Emergency Meeting for Follow-up Discussions

Members of the National Assembly from the Jeonnam region held a press conference and officially proposed "National Kim Daejung University" as the name for the integrated university of National Mokpo University and National Suncheon University. Photo by Kim Moonsoo's Office

The integration of Mokpo University and Suncheon University, which was the first step toward establishing a new medical school in the Jeonnam region, has come to a temporary halt.

According to Mokpo University and Suncheon University on December 24, both institutions held a vote over two days until 6 p.m. on December 23, with faculty, staff and teaching assistants, and students participating to decide on the proposed integration.

As a result, less than half of the students at Suncheon University supported the integration. Out of 6,328 students, 3,658 participated (a turnout of 57.8%), and among those who voted, 2,062 (60.7%) opposed the integration.

Among faculty, 286 out of 312 (a turnout of 91.7%) voted, with a support rate of 56.1%. Among staff and teaching assistants, 311 out of 336 (a turnout of 92.6%) voted, with a support rate of 80.1%.

Suncheon University had set a policy that the integration would only be considered approved if more than 50% of each of the three groups voted in favor. Accordingly, the final opinion of the university members was determined to be opposition to the integration.

In contrast, at Mokpo University, the support rate exceeded 50% in all three groups: 87.8% among faculty, 81.2% among staff, and 67.2% among students.

As a result of this vote, discussions on the integration of the two universities are expected to face significant challenges for some time. In particular, the momentum for the key initiative of establishing a new medical school in Jeonnam has also been lost.

Meanwhile, the joint committee for university integration plans to hold an emergency meeting on this day to discuss follow-up measures.