Jeollanam-do officials protest national medical school selection

Local leaders and officials in the southwestern region of Jeollanam-do are protesting the selection of Sunchon National University as a candidate for a new national medical school. Representatives from eight municipalities, including Mokpo, Haenam, and Yeongam, held a joint press conference demanding that the Ministry of Education reject the current recommendation and conduct a full re-evaluation.

The protesters allege that the selection process was illegal and unfair. A primary point of contention is the evaluation of land security for the medical school. While Mokpo National University has secured a site, Sunchon National University submitted a plan to use city-owned land via lease. Critics argue that the evaluation failed to distinguish between universities with secured land and those with only future plans, potentially undermining the fairness of the process.

Min Hyeong-bae, the Mayor of Jeonnam-Gwangju Integrated Special City, visited protesters conducting hunger strikes and overnight vigils. In response to the controversy, Min stated he would review the land security evaluation again. Meanwhile, Mokpo National University has filed a lawsuit to cancel the selection and has applied for an injunction, prompting the Ministry of Education to consider suspending the selection process until a court ruling is issued.