Presidential candidates for Mokpo University have raised concerns about the fairness of the selection process for the new National Medical University in Jeollanam-do by participating in a head-shaving protest. The simultaneous action by the two candidates has amplified the discontent among Mokpo University members regarding the selection results for the medical school.
On September 5, Mokpo University announced that Ryu Dong-young and Lim Han-kyu participated in a rally in front of the Blue House, demanding a thorough review of the procedural and legal issues raised during the selection process for the new National Medical University.
The rally drew over 300 attendees, including local politicians, academics, and residents from the southwestern region of Jeollanam-do. Notable participants included Congressman Kim Won-yi, Mokpo Mayor Kang Seong-hwi, and Mokpo City Council Chairman Lee Hyeong-wan, all of whom also shaved their heads in solidarity.
The joint head-shaving by Ryu and Lim is seen as a statement that the issue transcends mere differences in the university presidential election and is a shared concern for the future of Mokpo University and the southwestern region.
Both candidates expressed that the establishment of the National Medical University in Jeollanam-do is directly linked to the rights to life and health of residents in medically underserved areas, emphasizing that the selection and recommendation of candidate universities must adhere to objective criteria and fair procedures.
Ryu Dong-young and Lim Han-kyu stated through their head-shaving that “the 36-year-long aspiration of local residents for the establishment of a national medical school should be evaluated through sufficient verification and fair assessment,” urging the government to revisit the various issues raised during the recommendation process.
Mokpo University has highlighted the need to verify whether the selection process adequately and uniformly assessed the candidate universities' ability to secure medical school and hospital sites, as well as their feasibility and compliance with relevant laws.
The university has been preparing the necessary educational facilities, faculty, and clinical training systems for the establishment of a medical school and hospital, and has worked to ensure the feasibility of securing land for these institutions.
The university emphasized that trust in the evaluation process is essential for accepting the results. Concerns have been raised that proceeding with subsequent steps without resolving the questions raised during the recommendation process could lead to prolonged community conflict regarding the establishment of the National Medical University in Jeollanam-do.
In response, Mokpo University filed a lawsuit on September 3 seeking the cancellation of the selection and recommendation of candidate universities for the new National Medical University, and submitted an objection to the Ministry of Education on September 4 regarding the recommendation proposal.
A university official stated, “The core issue is not which university is selected, but whether the decision regarding the long-awaited National Medical University in Jeollanam-do has been made through standards and procedures that everyone can accept,” adding, “We hope the government will carefully verify the legal and procedural issues raised during the recommendation process to restore fairness and trust.”
Meanwhile, the participation of the two presidential candidates in the head-shaving protest is being interpreted as a message that the university community and local society must unite on the issue of the National Medical University, beyond the competition for the presidency. Mokpo University plans to continue necessary actions to ensure that the 36-year-long aspiration of residents in the southwestern region is evaluated through fair procedures.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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