InstituteGovernor Park Soo-hyun joins local residents in a high-profile rally, highlighting regional readiness and strategic infrastructure.

CHEONAN — Chungnam Province is ramping up its campaign to host the upcoming National Dental Research Institute, with Governor Park Soo-hyun leading a public demonstration of regional solidarity in Cheonan on Tuesday.

During his official visit to the city as part of the 9th local administration’s outreach initiative, Governor Park and local community members staged a coordinated advocacy performance. Brandishing pickets and chanting slogans, the participants underscored a unified, province-wide push to bring the prestigious national facility to Cheonan.

The rally comes hot on the heels of the November 6 establishment of the Pan-Chungnam Promotion Body, an umbrella coalition formed to bolster the local bid. Local leaders hope to harness grassroots enthusiasm while cementing Cheonan’s status as the logical choice for the project.

Slated to serve as a cornerstone of South Korea's dental science sector, the National Dental Research Institute will spearhead national research and development, technology standardization, and the commercialization of medical innovations.

Chungnam officials point to robust local preparations, including a pre-secured 10,094-square-meter plot within the Convergence R&D District near Cheonan-Asan Station. The bid heavily relies on the world-class clinical and educational infrastructure of Dankook University’s Dental Hospital and College of Dentistry, paired with a collaborative network of academic, research, and industrial partners.

Emphasizing the broader national implications of the project, Governor Park framed the initiative as more than just a regional victory.

"Securing the National Dental Research Institute in Cheonan is not merely a local milestone for Chungnam; it is a vital national undertaking to elevate South Korea’s overall competitiveness in dental science and healthcare," Governor Park stated. "We will continue to champion the merits of Cheonan alongside our citizens while working to ensure that the government selection process remains entirely transparent, fair, and objective."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]