Mokpo City has declared a critical period for establishing a medical school and attracting a university hospital in the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions. Officials are urging an end to local conflicts and calling for a substantial agreement on the merger of universities and the establishment of a medical school by August 10.
In a joint statement on August 5, Mokpo Mayor Kang Seong-hwi, Rep. Kim Won-yi, and Mokpo City Council Chair Lee Hyung-wan requested an end to regional disputes and emphasized the need for collaborative efforts regarding the merger of Mokpo University and Suncheon University, as well as the establishment of a medical school and university hospital.
This joint statement follows an emergency mediation meeting held on August 2, chaired by the special mayor for the merger. The meeting included the presidents of Mokpo University and Suncheon University, local lawmakers, and mayors, who agreed to continue discussions on the merger and medical school establishment until August 10.
The Ministry of Education also highlighted the urgency of reaching an agreement, stating on August 3 that swift consensus between the two universities is essential for the establishment of a medical school in the Jeonnam and Gwangju regions by 2030.
Mokpo City expressed concern that ongoing conflicts could jeopardize the establishment of the medical school and stressed the importance of cooperation from the entire community.
The western region of Jeonnam is particularly noted as a healthcare vulnerable area, with urgent needs for improved access to medical services.
According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare's analysis of the healthcare access in Jeollanam-do, the treatable mortality rate in the western region is 22.5% higher than in the eastern region, and the mortality rate for critically ill emergency patients is 40.5% higher. The percentage of residents unable to access advanced general hospitals is four times greater than in the eastern region, and the number of inpatient days at advanced general hospitals is analyzed to be 9,827 days higher.
Kang Seong-hwi, Kim Won-yi, and Lee Hyung-wan stated in their joint statement, "The government's public health policy should prioritize the right to life of residents in healthcare vulnerable areas, rather than merely considering population size or regional distribution. Establishing a medical school and university hospital in the western region is essential for national balanced development and addressing healthcare disparities."
They further emphasized, "By August 10, the two universities must lay the groundwork for the establishment of a merged university's medical school through a significant agreement. The special metropolitan city should also proceed without delay in building a super-regional integrated medical belt to fill gaps in essential and public healthcare and realize a locally integrated healthcare system."
This joint statement aims to shift discussions surrounding the establishment of a medical school and university merger toward a collaborative focus. Mokpo City reiterated the need for both universities and related agencies to reach a substantial agreement during the remaining negotiation period to ensure the government's medical school establishment process proceeds smoothly.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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