Controversy Erupts Over Kang Gijung’s Proposal for Medical School in Suncheon... Backlash from Mokpo Politicians and Citizens

Kim Wonhee: "Undermining the Issue of Establishing a Medical School"

Mokpo National University Alumni Association Urges, "Stop Divisive Politics"

Won Ki Kim

Strong backlash is erupting from politicians and citizens in Mokpo over the proposal by Kang Gijung, Mayor of Gwangju and candidate in the Democratic Party’s Jeonnam-Gwangju Unified Special Mayoral primary, to designate Suncheon—which is located in the eastern part of Jeollanam-do—as the site for a national medical school and affiliated hospital.

On March 17, Democratic Party lawmaker Wonhee Kim (Mokpo, Jeollanam-do) posted on his Facebook page, stating, “Mayor Kang made a preposterous claim that establishing a national medical school with an enrollment of 100 students and an affiliated hospital in Suncheon would settle the debate over the allocation of medical school seats and the location of the affiliated hospital. However, this will not put an end to the debate, but rather trigger new conflicts and inevitably divide the residents of Jeollanam-do.”

He continued, “For more than 35 years, the citizens of Mokpo and the people of Jeollanam-do have devoted all their efforts to establishing a medical school either in Mokpo or in the Jeollanam-do region. After many twists and turns, Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University have demonstrated their intent to integrate and have opened the way for the establishment of a medical school. Now, we are finally at the starting line.”

He also wrote, “I truly wonder if this is really the Kang Gijung I know—how can someone so thoroughly undermine the issue of establishing a medical school for personal political gain?”

The Mokpo National University Alumni Association also issued a statement on the same day, highlighting the issue of responsibility regarding Mayor Kang’s remarks.

The alumni association stated, “We are unable to contain our anger over Mayor Kang Gijung’s recent comments about the establishment of a medical school in the Jeonnam region. We define this as the worst form of ‘political division’ that jeopardizes the right to life of the residents of Jeollanam-do, and we express our deep regret. Recently, he arrogantly insisted on establishing a national medical school and affiliated hospital with 100 students in Suncheon, claiming this would end the debate. However, this is not a solution; it is nothing more than an arbitrary and irresponsible statement made solely for his own political standing and vote calculations.”

The statement continued, “Kang Gijung must stop practicing divisive politics that splits Jeollanam-do into east and west for personal political interests.”

Meanwhile, on March 16, Mayor Kang Gijung held a press conference at Suncheon City Council and said, “We will integrate the medical school, with an enrollment capacity of 100 students, in Suncheon and establish a corresponding affiliated university hospital here as well.”

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