Assemblyman Seodongyong Demands Establishment of Medical School at National University in Jeonnam During National Audit

Establishment of Medical School at Jeonnam National University, Need for Regional Doctor System

Education Minister Lee Ju-ho: "We Will Thoroughly Review"

On the 26th (Thursday), Seo Dong-yong, a member of the National Assembly's Education Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Suncheon, Gwangyang, Gokseong, and Gurye in Jeollanam-do), emphasized at the Ministry of Education's national audit held at the National Assembly that the government's plan to expand medical school quotas should include the establishment of a national medical school in the Jeonnam region.

In response, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, replied, "We will thoroughly review it."

[Photo by Seo Dong-yong's Office]

During the comprehensive audit of the Ministry of Education by the National Assembly's Education Committee on the 26th, Seo Dong-yong pointed out issues regarding Minister Lee Ju-ho's interview with the media on October 19, where he stated that from the perspective of regional balance, medical schools in the metropolitan area should be excluded and the increase should focus on local medical schools, responding that "the term 'exclusion' is not appropriate," and also said there is "public consensus" on increasing medical schools with only 40 students.

Among the 42 affiliated and cooperative hospitals where 18 non-metropolitan private medical schools conduct clinical practice, 18 are located in the metropolitan area. Conversely, among the 34 affiliated and cooperative hospitals of 12 metropolitan private medical schools, only 4 are located outside the metropolitan area. This shows that local private medical schools are already operating with a focus on supplying doctors to the metropolitan area rather than training local medical personnel.

Seo Dong-yong stated, "Non-metropolitan private medical schools are building hospitals in the metropolitan area and drawing doctors who should work locally into the metropolitan area," emphasizing the need to establish a national medical school in Jeonnam and introduce a regional doctor system to resolve local medical service gaps and strengthen essential medical care.

In response, Minister Lee Ju-ho said, "Since the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education have begun discussing measures to significantly strengthen essential medical care at the regional level, we will do our best to ensure these are thoroughly reviewed and improved."

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