New National Medical School in Jeonnam: "Seeking Answers in the National Assembly"

‘Grand Debate and Provincial Resolution Conference’ to Be Held at the National Assembly on the 24th

The ‘National Assembly Grand Debate and Provincial Resolution Conference on the Establishment of a Medical School in Jeollanam-do’ will be held at the main conference hall of the National Assembly Members’ Office Building on the morning of the 24th. The event is co-hosted by 13 National Assembly members, including Kim Woni and Kim Moonsu of the Democratic Party of Korea, and co-organized by Mokpo National University (President Song Hacheol), Suncheon National University (President Lee Byeongun), the National Assembly Good Policy Forum (Chairperson Jeon Hyunhee, National Assembly member), and the Jeollanam-do Provincial Committee for the Establishment of a National Medical School (Chairperson Heo Jeong).

According to Mokpo National University on the 20th, about 500 participants are expected at the event, including National Assembly members, local government heads from the Jeonnam region, central government policy officials, civil society organizations, journalists, local residents, and university representatives.

Poster of Establishing a National Medical School in Jeollanam-do, Seeking Answers in the National Assembly. Provided by National Mokpo University

The grand debate will begin with the announcement of a resolution for the establishment of a national medical school in Jeonnam, followed by a performance and expert policy discussions. The aim is to convey the aspirations and determination of the local residents in line with the government’s upcoming decision on the ‘allocation of medical school admissions for the 2026 academic year’.

The event will be divided into two parts and will be moderated by Dr. Kim Hanchang, Secretary General of the Good Policy Forum. In the first part, the Jeollanam-do Provincial Committee for the Establishment of a National Medical School will announce a resolution urging the government to establish a national medical school as part of the Jeollanam-do Integrated University. This will be followed by a group performance with all participants, expressing a strong commitment to the establishment of the national medical school.

The second part will feature welcoming remarks from the representative of the organizing National Assembly members and the Good Policy Forum, as well as congratulatory speeches from the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Governor of Jeollanam-do, participating National Assembly members, the Chairperson of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Council, local government heads, and the presidents of both universities.

Afterwards, a panel discussion will be held, chaired by Professor Emeritus Im Hyukbaek of Korea University. Participants will include officials from the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare, public healthcare experts, members of the Provincial Committee, local government officials, representatives from both universities, and local stakeholders. They will discuss the justification and plans for establishing a national medical school in Jeollanam-do.

Song Hacheol, President of Mokpo National University, one of the co-hosts, stated, “This National Assembly grand debate will be an opportunity for Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University, which have agreed on an integrated university for the greater good, along with National Assembly members from the Jeonnam region, local government heads, and community organizations, to demonstrate the firm will of local residents for the establishment of a medical school and to urge the government to establish the medical school and allocate admissions.”

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