Jeonbuk National University Accelerates Efforts to Host National Institute of Infectious Diseases

Iksan City and Jeonbuk National University Compete for Hosting in the Province... A 'Race Against Time'

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Geon-ju] Jeonbuk National University is accelerating efforts to attract a branch of the National Infectious Disease Research Institute to its current Zoonotic Infectious Disease Research Institute, supported by the government’s plan to invest 4 billion won in establishing an infectious disease research institute.

On the 28th, Jeonbuk National University drew attention by proposing a plan to jointly utilize the research institute facilities with the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency under the Ministry of Health and Welfare at a press briefing.

Prior to Jeonbuk National University, on the 19th, Iksan City held a policy forum and is promoting the establishment of a research institute in Iksan City, citing the advantage of actively utilizing the personnel and resources of the Zoonotic Infectious Disease Research Institutes at Jeonbuk National University and Wonkwang University.

Therefore, Iksan City argues that it can become the optimal location for an infectious disease research institute through close cooperation with nearby related organizations.

Jeonbuk National University is also emphasizing the advantage of jointly using the facilities by proposing a plan to utilize the existing Zoonotic Infectious Disease Research Institute.

Additionally, Jeonbuk National University proposed joint utilization by designating the existing Zoonotic Infectious Disease Research Institute as a branch of the National Infectious Disease Research Institute to “catch two rabbits” ? research on human infectious diseases and zoonotic infectious diseases.

Jeonbuk National University states that while conducting research on animal incurable diseases such as African swine fever at the Zoonotic Infectious Disease Research Institute, it should simultaneously be used as a research base for human infectious diseases, including the recently prominent COVID-19 virus.

Considering that the Jeonbuk region is specialized in the agro-biological industry and that zoonotic infectious disease research is essential, it views the joint utilization plan with the Ministry of Health and Welfare as persuasive.

In particular, Jeonbuk National University explained, “Maintaining the Jeonbuk National University Zoonotic Infectious Disease Research Institute is important for sustaining the research foundation of the College of Veterinary Medicine.”

However, Jeonbuk National University’s perspective appears to differ from that of the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare is reportedly taking the position that for Jeonbuk National University’s infectious disease research institute to be realized, the current functions of the Zoonotic Infectious Disease Research Institute must be abolished, differing from Jeonbuk National University’s stance.

Ultimately, President Kim Dong-won of Jeonbuk National University stated, “The most ideal plan is to designate the Jeonbuk National University Zoonotic Infectious Disease Research Institute as a branch of the National Infectious Disease Research Institute and jointly utilize personnel and facilities,” but also took a step back by saying, “If the university is asked to make sacrifices, it is willing to accept.”

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