Suncheon Garbage Trucks Promote the Establishment of Suncheon National University College of Medicine

Published 13 May.2024 14:00(KST)

Traveling Every Corner of Eupmyeon-dong to Share the Wish for Establishing a Medical School

Suncheon City, Jeollanam-do (Mayor Noh Gwan-gyu) announced that 60 garbage trucks from Suncheon City Hall have started promoting the establishment of the College of Medicine at the National Suncheon University, a pressing issue in the eastern region of Jeollanam-do, since the 9th.

A total of 60 garbage trucks, including those directly operated by Suncheon City and those from contracted agencies, have banners attached that read "The Dream of One Million Local Residents: Establishment of Suncheon University College of Medicine." They are traveling through every corner of the 24 eup, myeon, and dong districts to raise awareness among local residents about the establishment of the medical school at National Suncheon University.

[Photo by Suncheon City]

Additionally, the same promotional materials are attached to the safety vests worn by sanitation workers, playing a role in uniting the local community's support for the establishment of the medical school throughout the city.

This effort is in response to the recent controversy over Jeollanam-do's policy to hold a single medical school competition for the Jeonnam region. Along with the Suncheon City Council and civic and social organizations posting banners throughout the city expressing the will to establish a College of Medicine at National Suncheon University, the two major unions of Suncheon City and sanitation workers have joined forces.

A representative of the Suncheon City sanitation workers' union stated, "The eastern region of Jeollanam-do is centered around large industrial complexes that account for 70% of Jeonnam's economy, which means there are many occupational hazards. However, there is no tertiary general hospital, resulting in the highest nationwide rate of transferring severe emergency patients to other medical institutions." He added, "For field workers, the establishment of a medical school is an urgent and critical issue that should be resolved based on medical logic and principles rather than political controversy. We wanted to join in widely promoting the local residents' aspiration for the establishment of a College of Medicine at National Suncheon University."