Mokpo Medical School Bid Fails, Blame on Kim Won-i

It was pointed out that Democratic Party members in the Mokpo City Council ignored the opinions of non-Democratic Party members and monopolized standing committee chair and leadership positions. The will of Mokpo citizens who supported non-Democratic Party members was disregarded, and criticism was raised about the disappearance of collaboration and consideration within the local council.

Non-Democratic Party members were thoroughly excluded from the decision-making process, yet an atmosphere was created where they were expected to share responsibility for any outcomes. This situation raises questions about the transparency and fairness of legislative activities.

It was pointed out that the bid for Mokpo Medical School, which should have been led by the Ministry of Education and Mokpo National University, was hampered by National Assembly member Kim Won-i's misguided intervention, making effective responses difficult. City council members were not in a position to do anything regarding the medical school bid, and there were no actual discussions or meetings at the council level.

Mokpo National University was reviewed with its campus site already complete, whereas Suncheon National University was reviewed without a ready campus site. Despite this, the review result favored Suncheon National University, and government officials were criticized for their irresponsible response of 'not having time to review the documents'.

Mokpo citizens are angered by the review results, criticizing the selection of an unqualified institution. Citizens are calling for Mokpo National University and Suncheon National University to compete fairly from the starting line again, claiming the current selection is illegal and must be corrected immediately.

National Assembly member Kim Won-i, who played a leading role in the failed bid for Mokpo Medical School, is facing calls for accountability. It was pointed out that as a National Assembly member, he failed to accurately analyze and predict the situation through strategic analysis, leading to Mokpo being disregarded. Citizens are demanding that Kim Won-i take responsibility for the outcome and be excluded from future processes.

Criticism arose that the capabilities of the existing medical school bid leadership have already been assessed, deeming them unqualified, and emphasizing the need for a new response system. Even if a favorable outcome is not achieved, it was proposed to form a new TF to establish a new governance structure where experts and politicians collaborate. This means learning from past failures and re-pursuing the medical school bid in a more professional and efficient manner.

The unilateral progression of the Mokpo Medical School bid without prior consultation with civic groups and council members was identified as a problem. Council members also protested by not attending events where they were simply given placards to hold without their opinions being sought.

It was revealed that the medical school bid promotion committee never conducted a public opinion survey on whether citizens prioritized a university hospital or a medical school. Questions posed to Mayor Lee's side or Kim Won-i went unanswered for four hours, ultimately leading to criticism over the complete lack of a public opinion survey.

The earnestness of officials, who before the medical school bid failed, performed three steps and one bow in the rain and lay on the streets shouting 'Mokpo is dying, save us,' was revisited. With the failure of the medical school bid, which was the only card for Mokpo's survival, citizens' self-reproach and despair are growing, and calls for Kim Won-i's accountability are intensifying.

A warning was issued that Mokpo citizens are currently in a desperate situation, and if new items to develop Mokpo are not found, the city will continue to decline. There is growing demand to quickly find practical alternatives beyond political criticism, similar to the case of the Yeosu Expo bid.