ANDONG, South Korea — In what is being hailed as a historic milestone for regional healthcare and development, the South Korean Ministry of Education has officially approved the establishment of a new College of Medicine at Gukguk National University.

Announced on November 4, the decision marks the first time in 45 years—since the administrative separation of Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do—that the province will host its own medical school and a major university hospital.

The achievement is the culmination of years of persistent efforts by the provincial government, local lawmakers, medical professionals, and 2.5 million residents who have long suffered from a shortage of regional medical infrastructure.

Key Project Highlights

Target Opening: 2030 academic year
Initial Admission Quota: 40 students per year
Teaching Hospital: A 500+ bed university hospital to serve as the regional medical hub
Total Budget: Approximately 630 billion KRW ($430M+ USD)
Location: Provincial government complex district (Dogcheong-sin-doshi), spanning approximately 130,362 square meters (approx. 39,500 pyeong)
Faculty Goal: Secure 112 or more full-time faculty members by 2032

Addressing Critical Healthcare Gaps

For decades, Gyeongsangbuk-do has faced severe medical disadvantages. With no comprehensive top-tier general hospital in the province, the region recorded an average of only 1.42 doctors per 1,000 residents—falling significantly short of the national average.

The establishment of Gukguk National University College of Medicine and its accompanying 500-bed hospital aims to establish a self-sufficient healthcare ecosystem. By focusing heavily on essential medical fields such as pediatrics, obstetrics, and emergency care, the initiative will drastically reduce the need for residents to travel to other regions for critical treatments.

Driving Future Growth in Bio and Medical Innovation

Beyond healthcare access, the project is expected to become a cornerstone for Gyeongsangbuk-do’s future economy.

The new medical school will integrate closely with the region’s existing biotechnology infrastructure—including the International Vaccine Institute's Andong Branch, the Vaccine Commercialization Support Center, and specialized hemp zones in northern Gyeongbuk. Coupled with Pohang's advanced scientific research infrastructure and the east coast’s nuclear and radiation medical resources, the province is poised to build a full-cycle bio-health innovation ecosystem spanning research, clinical trials, and commercialization.

Next Steps and Implementation

To ensure a successful launch by 2030, Gyeongsangbuk-do plans to establish the "Gukguk National University Medical School Establishment Support Council," bringing together experts from the medical, academic, and industrial sectors.

In preparation for the curriculum and clinical training, the province has already secured preliminary agreements with regional medical institutions such as Chilgok Kyungpook National University Hospital and Andong Hospital, alongside preliminary commitments from over ten medical professors (MDs) specializing in basic medicine.

Governor Lee Cheol-woo expressed profound gratitude to the residents, civic groups, and bipartisan lawmakers who united to achieve this historic goal, pledging to build a world-class bio-medical hub that guarantees the health and safety of all local citizens.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]