Song Ha-cheol, president of Mokpo National University, has announced his resignation following the university's failure to be selected as a candidate for the National Medical University in Jeollanam-do. This decision comes as the community grapples with the disappointment of a 36-year aspiration for a national medical school in the western region of Jeonnam.
In a statement on August 31, President Song expressed, "I feel a heavy responsibility as the president for not meeting the hopes of Mokpo citizens and residents of western Jeonnam who have supported the establishment of a medical school for 36 years. The responsibility for this outcome lies with me, and I hereby resign from my position as president."
He explained that over the past three years, he focused all university resources on establishing the medical school. This included developing necessary curricula, securing educational facilities and faculty, and preparing clinical training systems, moving beyond mere advocacy to concrete planning for the establishment and operation of the medical school.
Song emphasized that he believed he had addressed all obstacles to the enhanced establishment and accreditation of the medical school, expressing regret that these efforts were not adequately recognized in the evaluation process.
He also highlighted that during the competitive process with Suncheon University, Mokpo National University did not prioritize its own interests. He cooperated with the previous policies of Jeollanam-do and, after the establishment of the integrated special city of Gwangju-Jeonnam, he believed it was crucial to avoid internal conflicts that could jeopardize the larger goal of establishing a national medical school.
Despite acknowledging his responsibility for the outcome, Song raised serious questions about the evaluation process. He pointed out that the final score difference between the two universities was only 1.3 points, suggesting that such a significant evaluation, which could determine the future of both institutions, was conducted without sufficient verification of plans or prior explanation.
"It is difficult to accept that evaluators, whose expertise was not verified, were convened to conduct evaluations in a short time frame," he stated, adding, "Respecting the outcome and questioning the evaluation process are two different matters."
In response to Song's resignation, there are growing calls within the Mokpo community for political accountability. A local resident, identified as Mr. So (56), remarked, "President Song has devoted himself to the pursuit of the national medical school with a sense of urgency over the past three years. Now that he has not achieved this goal, he has chosen to take responsibility without shifting blame to anyone else. The political community must not evade responsibility or remain silent while a 36-year aspiration crumbles."
Another resident, Mr. Lee (59), expressed frustration that while the university president is willing to resign, the political leaders responsible for the future and health rights of the community have yet to demonstrate similar accountability. He urged the political community to focus on how to address the healthcare gaps in the western region rather than engaging in self-serving calculations.
President Song reiterated that the core issue surrounding the national medical school is not merely competition among universities or institutional development, but rather the need to address healthcare inequality in western Jeonnam. He stressed, "It is a pressing issue for residents of western Jeonnam to endure health and life inequalities due to their place of residence. We must not allow the cycle of underperformance in medical school establishment competitions to continue, leaving these areas as healthcare deserts due to population and infrastructure shortages."
He called on the government and the integrated special city of Gwangju-Jeonnam to provide concrete measures to fill the healthcare gaps in western Jeonnam, which has been excluded from the list of candidate universities for the national medical school, and to establish essential and critical healthcare systems.
"I will contribute my efforts to ensure that Mokpo National University rises stronger from this outcome and that residents of western Jeonnam receive proper medical services, regardless of where they live," he stated. He added, "While I will step down from the position of president, I will not abandon my role in supporting Mokpo National University and the western Jeonnam region, pledging to serve in a different capacity."
With President Song's resignation, the controversy surrounding the selection results for the national medical school candidates is expected to extend beyond the university level, prompting demands for accountability from the local political community and solutions to address the healthcare gaps in western Jeonnam.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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