Mokpo National University students took to the streets to demand a thorough reassessment of the selection results for the new national medical school in Jeonnam. They argued that the issue transcends university competition, impacting the health rights of residents in the southwestern region and the future of local youth, urging the government to ensure the evaluation process is fair and professional.
On September 14, student governance bodies, including the university's student council and various departmental student councils, held a rally in front of the Gwangju government office to protest what they termed an unfair evaluation process for the candidate universities for the new national medical school.
About 60 students participated, holding placards with slogans such as 'Reveal the secret of the 1.30 points' and 'Invalidate the closed-door evaluation,' demanding the disclosure of specific grounds for the selection process and evaluation results.
The students highlighted that the final scores for National Suncheon University and Mokpo National University were 89.15 and 87.85, respectively, with a mere 1.30-point difference.
They argued that given the narrow score margin, which determined a long-standing aspiration for the region, the detailed scores for each evaluation criterion, the composition and expertise of the review panel, and the overall evaluation process should be transparently disclosed and reassessed.
Particularly, they raised concerns about the adequacy of the evaluation regarding the plans for securing land for the medical school and teaching hospital.
The students contended that while Mokpo National University secured state-owned land for the establishment of a medical school and teaching hospital in the Yonghae-dong campus area, National Suncheon University proposed a plan for free leasing of land owned by local governments, questioning whether this was adequately verified under the same criteria.
They expressed that if the rationale for addressing land issues after the evaluation is applied, it raises concerns about fairness compared to universities that competed based on the plans submitted at the time of evaluation.
Gwon Beom-seok, president of the Mokpo National University student council, conveyed the sentiments of students and local youth in the southwestern region through an appeal titled 'A Plea from the Youth of Mokpo National University to the President.'
Gwon stated, 'What we want is not special treatment for Mokpo National University, but a proper review, verification, and fair evaluation.' He added, 'If the results were determined based on incorrect facts or inadequate verification, we urge the government to reassess and correct them, as 36 years of waiting should not become a lifelong regret for the residents of the southwestern region due to a 50-minute evaluation without proper verification.'
He emphasized that this issue should not be viewed merely as a question of which university will establish a medical school.
Gwon remarked, 'The establishment of a medical school is directly related to the health rights of residents in the underserved southwestern region and is a significant matter affecting the future and educational opportunities of local youth. We hope our youth are not left with the frustration that 'those who adhere to principles and prepare thoroughly end up at a disadvantage.'
Messages from students directed at President Song Ha-cheol, who has expressed his intention to resign, were also shared. Gwon acknowledged the efforts made by the president for the students and the university over the past few years, stating, 'Even in light of this result, faculty, students, and staff will stand together.'
The student governance bodies plan to continue demanding the disclosure of evaluation criteria and scoring grounds, verification of the review panel's composition and expertise, and reassessment of the land acquisition plans for the medical school and teaching hospital.
Gwon asserted, 'The narrow margin of 1.30 points must be clarified through the evaluation and judgment processes. Until the questions surrounding the evaluation process are resolved, the student governance bodies and university members will unite in response.'
Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding the selection results for the candidate universities for the national medical school in Jeonnam is spreading beyond the university, with local politicians, municipal governments, local councils, university members, and residents all calling for a review of the evaluation process. As Mokpo National University students take direct action, attention is focused on how the government will respond to the raised issues.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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