Changing the Nation's Future with 'Physician-Scientist Training'... Pohang City Determined to Establish a Research-Oriented Medical School

Expansion of Medical School Quotas and Training of Physician-Scientists: Focus on Establishing a 'Research-Oriented Medical School'

Mayor Lee Kang-deok: "Establishing a Research-Oriented Medical School Will Realize Bio-Patriotism"

Pohang City is putting its all into establishing a research-oriented medical school to train physician-scientists.

On the 14th, Pohang City held a rally at Cheongnim Stadium with about 1,000 citizens, united in their voice for the establishment of a POSTECH research-oriented medical school to realize 'Bio-Boguk'.

On the 13th, reports emerged that the government is preparing to announce an expansion of medical school admissions for the 2025 academic year, accelerating momentum for the establishment of a research-oriented medical school.

On the 17th, Pohang City held an emergency executive meeting to discuss related trends and response measures, and on the 14th, held a rally with over 1,000 Pohang citizens urging approval for the establishment of the research-oriented medical school.

Since 2018, the city has been promoting the establishment of a research-oriented medical school and smart hospital in collaboration with POSTECH and Gyeongbuk Province to build a foundation for training physician-scientists who can lead innovative medical services and bio-technology management.

As a result, the initiative was included in the new government's 120 national tasks and the transition committee’s policy agenda for the Gyeongbuk region, agreements were signed with local hospitals sharing the consensus, and in February, a Graduate School of Medical Science was opened at POSTECH, achieving significant support from the government, National Assembly, medical community, and industry.

The 'Minister of Education Meeting for Training Physician-Scientists' held last February.

The expansion of medical school admissions, the top prerequisite for establishing a research-oriented medical school, has also been steadily progressing.

In December last year, the Ministry of Education sent an official letter to the Ministry of Health and Welfare requesting cooperation to increase medical school quotas, and the Ministry of Health and Welfare has been continuously communicating while persuading the Korean Medical Association. In August, a specialized committee on medical personnel was formed under the legally mandated Health and Medical Policy Deliberation Committee, initiating concrete discussions.

As concerns over the local medical crisis spread, several bills proposing the introduction of regional doctor systems centered on some national universities were submitted. Instead of quantitatively balancing the supply of clinical personnel, physician-scientists trained by research-oriented medical schools can respond qualitatively to patient demands through convergent research that enhances medical efficiency and trust.

The contrast was stark in the face of unfamiliar infectious diseases like COVID-19. Without known treatments, no matter how many clinicians there are, the response depends on quarantine measures and public cooperation, during which the national economy comes to a halt.

On the other hand, physician-scientists can rapidly research new treatments and foster business growth to create added value. This is why establishing a research-oriented medical school differentiated from public medical schools is urgently needed.

Mayor Lee Kang-deok said, “Training bio talent through the establishment of a research-oriented medical school is an urgent task that cannot be delayed to secure national competitiveness and future growth engines,” adding, “As many citizens are solemnly urging the government and medical community to make a decisive decision on establishing a research-oriented medical school to train physician-scientists, we will realize ‘Bio-Boguk’ (serving the nation through bio) with the determination of ‘Pabu-chimju’ (breaking the cauldrons and sinking the boats) together with Gyeongbuk Province and POSTECH.”

Pohang City plans to continuously consolidate citizens’ will for the establishment of the POSTECH research-oriented medical school through relay rallies linked with citizen participation events based on a phased roadmap, and will actively promote the necessity and distinctiveness of the research-oriented medical school by issuing joint resolutions with POSTECH and KAIST.

Additionally, depending on future developments in medical school quota expansion, the city plans to gradually carry out government petition activities such as citizen signature campaigns.

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