Mokpo University professors visit the Ministry of Education and Welfare to urge reconsideration of medical school selection

(Mokpo = Yonhap News) Reporter Hyeong Min-woo = The Mokpo National University Faculty Council held a rally in front of the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health and Welfare at the Sejong Government Complex on the 13th and urged a complete review of the selection process for the new National Medical University in Gwangju, Jeollanam-do.

The professors argued that the Ministry of Education should disclose the reasons for excluding Mokpo University from the review and the basis for the decision.

In addition, he pointed out that the fairness of the review and the validity of the evaluation results cannot be considered confirmed solely through the legal advice that 'there were no defects worthy of rejection' in the candidate university recommendation process.

The Faculty Council also objected to the Ministry of Education's interpretation that sale is included in the 'free use, free loan, or free lease, etc.' written in Suncheon City's promise to provide land free of charge.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare requested an explanation as to whether the medical vulnerability of the southwestern region of Jeollanam-do and the need to resolve medical disparities between regions were sufficiently reflected in the selection process.

The Faculty Council called for disclosure of the grounds for exclusion and evaluation data, independent verification of the site and teaching hospital plan, and a full review of the selection results.

Kang Il-guk, chairman of the Mokpo University Faculty Council, said, "Establishing a new national medical school is a major national task that goes beyond the interests of a specific university and involves the life and health rights of local residents."