Democratic Party's North Gyeongsang chief vows Gyeongguk University medical school push will go ahead

Oh Jung-gi, chairman of the Democratic Party of Korea's North Gyeongsang Provincial Committee, held a press briefing for reporters covering the provincial government and assembly on Monday, outlining his plans to advance key issues facing the province.

The briefing was held in a multipurpose room on the first below-ground floor of the North Gyeongsang Provincial Assembly. It was attended by Oh, provincial assembly members Jeong Yong-chae and Jang Eun-ju, provincial committee Secretary-General Jo Jong-un, provincial political affairs director Lee Bu-hyeong, policy planning officer An Seong-nyeol, budget officer Ji Jin-tae, and about 20 reporters.

At the briefing, Oh addressed media reports raising doubts that Gyeongguk National University could be passed over in the final selection — with Gyeongguk and Suncheon National University both having submitted plans to establish medical schools on Aug. 20. "Based on checks through multiple channels recently, I am confident that the establishment of a medical school at Gyeongguk will proceed without any change," he said.

He added, however, that a lawmaker from the North Gyeongsang region had recently become the new chair of the National Assembly's Health and Welfare Committee, and that a united front with the ruling People Power Party would be needed to improve the chances of success.

Oh also addressed the collapse of an administrative integration drive before the last local elections, which he attributed to a lack of coordination within People Power Party political circles. "Starting now, all political forces must come together as one to build a governance framework that includes cities, counties and districts, local assemblies, residents, experts and civil society — and we need to restructure the distribution of authority, the fiscal framework and the standing of the assembly," he said. He added that the party would fulfill its role as the ruling party in securing a new airport, advancing the second round of public institution relocations, and obtaining central government funding for next year.