North Gyeongsang Province to get new national medical school as Andong's push pays off

The establishment of a national medical school in North Gyeongsang Province has been finalized, marking the culmination of Andong's sustained campaign to bring the institution to the region.

According to Andong City, the city designated the national medical school as a top priority after the launch of its eighth elected administration in 2022, working in close cooperation with North Gyeongsang Province and Gyeonguk National University.

Efforts began with a joint cooperation declaration in 2023 and expanded to include public forums, a citywide rally and a signature drive. The city also held National Assembly debates and ran nationwide broadcast campaigns to build public support for the school's establishment.

From May last year through April 2026, the city held eight official meetings with relevant agencies and continued coordination through a support consultative body and working-level discussions, fleshing out plans for the medical school and defining each institution's role.

City officials also visited the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Ministry of Education directly to present the state of medical care in North Gyeongsang Province and make the case for a national medical school.

Preparatory groundwork for the school's establishment proceeded in parallel.

Andong City worked alongside North Gyeongsang Province on a research project to develop an implementation strategy, and cooperated closely with Gyeonguk National University as it prepared and submitted its proposal for a new regional medical school.

The city has also been developing a local government support plan to ensure the successful establishment of both the medical school and its teaching hospital.

"With this confirmation, we will work with North Gyeongsang Province, Yecheon-gun, Gyeonguk National University and other relevant agencies to actively support the establishment of the medical school and teaching hospital, and focus on follow-up preparations to help medical professionals settle stably in the region," a city official said.

The Ministry of Education announced Wednesday that it had selected Gyeonguk National University as the institution to host the new medical school and allocated an incoming class of 40 students.