Jin Joong-kwon Criticizes Hong Joon-pyo, Saying "Jinju Medical Center Would Have Been Useful"

Jin Joong-kwon, former professor at Dongyang University / Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Ga-yeon] Former Dongyang University professor Jin Joong-kwon criticized Hong Joon-pyo, former governor of Gyeongnam and former leader of the Liberty Korea Party (predecessor of the United Future Party), regarding the Gyeongnam Jinju Medical Center, which was closed in May 2013, saying, "If Jinju Medical Center still existed now, it would probably be very useful."

On the 3rd, Professor Jin wrote on his Facebook, "Wasn't it former Governor Hong who closed Jinju Medical Center?" and made this comment.

He pointed out, "If you recklessly apply corporate logic even to areas related to the basic life of the people, absurd things happen," adding, "It was because reducing the provincial government's financial deficit was prioritized over the health rights of marginalized local residents."

Professor Jin said, "In an interview with the president of the Korean Medical Association, the current administration's policy was criticized as 'medical socialism,'" and added, "If you read it, it's just slander at the level of conspiracy theories, labeling people as 'red' (communists)."

He said, "Even if I were a doctor, I would prefer a world like the U.S. where you pay and get paid. In Korea, where COVID-19 tests can be done for free or for 170,000 won, you can still be billed 4 million won," explaining, "That is 'medical capitalism.' There are concerns that in the U.S., where the public healthcare system is weak, the most vulnerable groups in society will be the biggest victims if COVID-19 spreads widely."

He continued, "Socialism is nothing special," and explained, "Korea's healthcare system, where anyone can get a test that costs 4 million won in the U.S. for free or at a low price, embodies socialist characteristics."

Hong Joon-pyo, former leader of the Liberty Korea Party, is answering questions from reporters on January 20th at the Haman County Office in Haman County, Gyeongnam/Photo by Yonhap News

Earlier, Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo pointed out at a COVID-19 response briefing held at the provincial government press center on the 2nd, "Gyeongnam has the fewest public hospital beds nationwide," and added, "The absolute shortage is due to the public healthcare vacuum in the western region following the closure of the former Jinju Medical Center."

At the time of its closure in May 2013, Jinju Medical Center had 325 beds. Governor Kim said that in 2009, Jinju Medical Center was designated as a treatment hub for the H1N1 flu and played a significant role in infectious disease treatment, calling "the closure of the former Jinju Medical Center even more regrettable and unfortunate."

He added, "The COVID-19 crisis has made it painfully clear that public healthcare must be expanded and maintained at a level that can protect the minimum life and safety of the residents."

Meanwhile, former Governor Hong rebutted criticism of the Jinju Medical Center closure by posting on his Facebook on the 25th of last month.

Hong emphasized, "When I was governor of Gyeongnam in June 2015, we built a new Masan Provincial Medical Center with eight isolation wards and negative pressure rooms for infectious disease patients," adding, "At the time, there was criticism about the high cost of building negative pressure rooms, but now, during the COVID-19 crisis, those negative pressure rooms are proving very useful."

He also added, "During the last presidential candidate debate, when candidate Moon Jae-in attacked the closure of Jinju Medical Center, I countered by highlighting the installation of negative pressure rooms at Masan Medical Center, responding with the high-quality medical facilities of Gyeongnam."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.