Choi Kyo-jin, nominee for Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education, stated that he would swiftly consult and proceed with establishing a medical school in South Jeolla Province.
Nominee Choi made this remark during his confirmation hearing held by the National Assembly's Education Committee on Tuesday.
During the hearing, Rep. Kim Moon-soo of the Democratic Party of Korea said, “As South Jeolla Province lacks a medical school, it has no university hospital or tertiary general hospital. As a result, many patients die after being transferred to hospitals in major cities.” For major surgeries, patients typically have to travel to Seoul or Gwangju, and there's also a paradoxical situation where non-treatment-related costs become significantly higher, Kim added.
The DPK lawmaker continued, “Therefore, establishing a new medical school in South Jeolla Province has been adopted as a national policy task (by the Lee Jae Myung administration). Please look into this matter closely (if you become Minister of Education).”
Choi responded, saying, “I believe all people should receive high-quality medical services regardless of where they live. It is highly unreasonable that the regional and essential public medical workforce is lacking only in specific areas.”
He continued, “I understand that while there is agreement on establishing a medical school in South Jeolla Province, at issue is how to resolve the issue between the two locations of Suncheon and Mokpo,” adding, “I will consult with South Jeolla Province, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and other relevant agencies to ensure residents can receive good medical services as quickly as possible.”
Choi also expressed support for the necessity of a public medical school.
Responding to a related question from Rep. Kim Yong-tae of the People Power Party, Choi said, “I agree that all citizens should receive quality medical services, and there seems to be a national consensus that the number of doctors should be increased evenly.”
“However, how and in what stages to increase them requires a long consultation process because there are many stakeholders involved,” Choi said. “The previous administration seemed to rush this process, which caused turmoil.”