Jeonnam Governor Kim Young-rok Expresses Deep Concern Over 'Mokpo Maritime University-Incheon University Integration'

Kim Young-rok, Governor of Jeollanam-do, expressed deep concern over the National Mokpo Maritime University’s plan to merge with Incheon National University, stating, “I hope to move forward together as partners for Jeollanam-do’s future 100 years through bold cooperation with universities within the province.”

On the 27th, Governor Kim released a statement on the “Integration of National Mokpo Maritime University and Incheon National University,” saying, “In the face of local extinction and the crisis in universities, it is regrettable that Mokpo Maritime University, which has grown with the love of the residents for the past 70 years, is seeking integration with a metropolitan area university rather than co-growth with the local community.”

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He continued, “Jeollanam-do is putting all its efforts into fostering regional hub universities that will serve as centers for regional development to simultaneously overcome local extinction and the university crisis,” emphasizing, “This year as well, we are united with local universities in all efforts to designate special zones for educational development, select additional glocal universities, and establish the Regional Innovation-centered University Support System (RISE), which are the three major education projects.”

He also pointed out, “The metropolitan area is already overcrowded and subject to total enrollment regulation, making integration with metropolitan universities legally and practically impossible, and the central government shares this position,” adding, “Missing the optimal timing for innovation with an unfeasible plan and creating a gap with local residents would be a misfortune for the nation, the region, and the universities alike.”

He then requested, “I ask that through sufficient discussions among the members of Mokpo Maritime University, a path for mutual development through cooperation with universities within the province, not the metropolitan area, be found,” and added, “I look forward to working together as partners for the great leap forward in Jeollanam-do’s future 100 years.”

Jeollanam-do continues to lead the advancement of regional higher education through full implementation of the Regional Innovation-centered University Support System for coexistence with local universities and full support for the designation of glocal universities. The province is actively providing administrative and financial support to local universities to realize the vision of “Universities nurtured by the region, regions revitalized by universities.”

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