Lee Gae-ho “Jeonnam Health Care R&D Budget 0.0004%”

Seoul Receives 505.1 Billion Won This Year, Jeonnam Only 300 Million Won
"Urgent Government Investment Needed to Strengthen Regional Medical Capacity"

Lee Gae-ho 의원

It has been revealed that Jeonnam Province is being thoroughly neglected in government investment in the health and medical R&D sector.

On the 23rd, Lee Gae-ho, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea (representing Damyang, Jangseong, Yeonggwang, and Hampyeong), analyzed the National Assembly audit data submitted by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute under the Ministry of Health and Welfare. The analysis showed that over the past five years, the health and medical R&D budget increased by 65%, from 488.8 billion KRW to 804.8 billion KRW this year, and the average budget per project also rose by 30%, from 390 million KRW to 510 million KRW, indicating a rapid increase in research and development investment.

However, when analyzed regionally, there was a severe disparity between the metropolitan area and other regions. As of last year, a total of 683.1 billion KRW was invested in health and medical R&D budgets across cities and provinces nationwide, but 474.1 billion KRW, or 69%, was concentrated in Seoul. This year, up to September, 505.1 billion KRW was also heavily concentrated in Seoul.

In contrast, Jeonnam received an investment of 475 million KRW for three projects last year, and this year, 300 million KRW was allocated for two projects. In terms of proportion, this is 0.0004%, which is practically insignificant.

The R&D budget invested in universities in each region is even more severe. Last year, there were 355 health and medical research and development projects in 17 regional universities nationwide, with a budget of 208.4 billion KRW. Of these, 246 projects (69%) and 166.6 billion KRW (80%) were in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province.

In contrast, investment in universities located in Jeonnam has not received a single won in support over the past four years since one project received 200 million KRW in 2020. Jeonnam is the only region where university support for health and medical R&D research and development has not been provided in the past three years.

Rep. Lee stated, “If the concentration of health and medical R&D in the metropolitan area continues, the gap in research capabilities between regions will widen further, raising the entry barriers for local areas to develop their health and medical R&D capabilities. The poor health and medical R&D in Jeonnam is largely due to the fact that most projects are conducted through medical schools, and Jeonnam lacks a medical school. Therefore, the urgency and necessity of establishing a medical school are increasing, and the government’s focused investment to strengthen Jeonnam’s health and medical capabilities must follow.”

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