Why Is the National Institute of Dental Science Delayed Again?... Chungnam Demands "Confirm Cheonan"

Calls for Fulfillment of Presidential Pledge
"Public Contest Only Fuels Conflict," Direct Criticism

Chungcheongnam-do Province urged the government for the prompt implementation of the establishment of the National Institute of Dental Science in Cheonan City, Chungcheongnam-do Dental Association, and for the site to be confirmed without a public contest. /Chungcheongnam-do Province

As the establishment of the National Institute of Dental Science, which was pledged as a presidential campaign promise, continues to be delayed, Chungnam Province, Cheonan City, and the local dental community have voiced their opposition. They are pressuring the government to make a decisive move by demanding that Cheonan be officially confirmed as the site, rather than proceeding through a public contest.

On March 26, Chungnam Province announced that, in cooperation with Cheonan City and the Chungnam Dental Association, it had urged the government to promptly implement the "Establishment of the National Institute of Dental Science in Cheonan" and confirm the site without a public contest.

The province attended the "75th Regular General Meeting of the Chungnam Dental Association and Resolution Rally for the Establishment of the National Institute of Dental Science in Cheonan," held at the Ramada Hotel in Cheonan the previous day.

Approximately 100 people were present at the event, including provincial and city officials, members of the dental association, and heads of related organizations.

Through a resolution, they called on the government and the Ministry of Health and Welfare to immediately fulfill the presidential pledge, withdraw the public contest approach, and officially confirm Cheonan as the location.

They specifically pointed out that "the recently discussed public contest undermines trust in policy and only fuels excessive competition and conflict among local governments," adding that "forcing competition for a site that has already been verified, such as Cheonan, is a waste of national resources."

The province further emphasized that Cheonan is the optimal location, citing its ability to form a global dental science cluster, its nationwide transportation network, human resources such as the Dankook University College of Dentistry, and the possibility of establishing a full-cycle cooperative system from research and development to clinical practice and commercialization.

The Chungnam Dental Association stated, "The National Institute of Dental Science is not just a research institution, but a key infrastructure that will determine the future of the nation's dental industry," and asserted that "establishing it in Cheonan is not an option but a necessity."

A provincial official also commented, "We will continue to advocate the necessity of the institute's establishment to the government," adding, "We will gather regional capabilities to promote the project as quickly as possible."

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