Selection of new national medical schools becomes complicated; Gyeongbuk submits proposal, Jeonnam-Gwangju suggests changing approach

The plan to establish a new national medical school in Jeonnam-Gwangju has hit a snag, as the region failed to submit its "Integrated Medical School Establishment Promotion Plan" by the August 20 deadline. This development intensifies the competition with Gyeongsangbuk-do, which successfully submitted its proposal.

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The Ministry of Education had requested proposals from both regions by the deadline. However, Jeonnam-Gwangju could not comply because the proposed merger between National Mokpo University and National Sunchon University, a prerequisite for the medical school, has stalled due to disagreements over the location of the medical school and other issues.

The Ministry of Education had requested proposals from both regions by the deadline. However, Jeonnam-Gwangju could not comply because the proposed merger between National Mokpo University and National Sunchon University, a prerequisite for the medical school, has stalled due to disagreements over the location of the medical school and other issues. Instead, Jeonnam-Gwangju submitted an opinion letter focusing on three aspects: the necessity of establishing a medical school, the proposed enrollment size, and support plans.

Jeonnam-Gwangju is urging the government to alter its policy, which is based on the integration of the two universities. They emphasize that establishing a medical school in a region without one aligns with national policy and reflects a long-standing aspiration for the former Jeonnam province, which, along with Sejong, was the only area without a medical school before the integration. The region was allocated 100 medical school enrollment slots for 2030.

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The region was allocated 100 medical school enrollment slots for 2030.

Meanwhile, Gyeongsangbuk-do submitted its proposal in conjunction with the planned integration of Andong National University and Gyeongbuk Provincial University to form Gyeongbuk National University. Gyeongsangbuk-do argues for the necessity of a 100-student medical school and a 500-bed affiliated hospital to address the medical vacuum in its northern region. The province, the largest in South Korea excluding Sejong, lacks a tertiary general hospital and has the lowest doctor-to-population ratio among all provinces.

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The province, the largest in South Korea excluding Sejong, lacks a tertiary general hospital and has the lowest doctor-to-population ratio among all provinces.

The situation puts the government in a difficult position. Changing the policy to accommodate Jeonnam-Gwangju's request could lead to backlash from Gyeongsangbuk-do, while adhering to the original plan might disqualify Jeonnam-Gwangju without a chance to compete. A Ministry of Health and Welfare official stated that the ministry and the Ministry of Education must consult after reviewing the submitted proposals, noting that no specific number of schools has been decided beyond the 100 enrollment slots.

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A Ministry of Health and Welfare official stated that the ministry and the Ministry of Education must consult after reviewing the submitted proposals, noting that no specific number of schools has been decided beyond the 100 enrollment slots.