Mokpo Medical School Attraction Failure and Internal Democratic Party Conflict

She analyzed that this conflict is largely fueled by individuals holding dual party memberships, and that the decline in approval ratings is a phenomenon stemming from internal party problems.

She anticipates that both the president and party leader will appropriately coordinate and pursue a merger, and projected that conflicts could arise during the process of local constituency nominations and primaries.

In the last general election, public sympathy for former Chairman Cho Kuk and his status as a presidential candidate played a role, but she assessed that the Rebuilding Korea Party's independent survival is difficult under current conditions. She added that discussions about a merger between the two parties are a very sensitive issue right now.

She criticized the phenomenon where he repeatedly gains attention whenever he is mentioned, emphasizing that indifference is the only way to remove him from political interest. Council member Son added that showing interest in writer Yoo Si-min is in itself helping him, and therefore he should not be engaged with.

Council member Son Hye-won criticized the Democratic Party for monopolizing the standing committee chairpersons and leadership positions in the Mokpo City Council. She pointed out that the will of Mokpo citizens who supported non-Democratic Party members was ignored in the council's composition, and there was no consideration for minority parties within the local assembly. She argued that this regional monopoly by the Democratic Party prevents the reflection of diverse citizen voices.

This points out that an important local issue like medical school attraction was handled without transparency.

Council member Son Hye-won criticized that Mokpo National University received its review with its medical school site already prepared, while Sunchon National University, despite inadequate site preparation, was ultimately selected. She revealed that the review body reportedly responded that it did not have time to review documents, raising questions about the decision to select a location without a site. This, she argued, casts doubt on the objectivity and fairness of the medical school attraction review process.

Along with this, she demanded a thorough investigation into Assembly member Kim Won-yi's role and accountability for the failure to attract a medical school.

National Assembly member Jang Ga-young of the Rebuilding Korea Party criticized Assembly member Kim Won-yi for focusing solely on strategies based on luck, such as posting placards, and failing to provide proper alternatives after the medical school attraction failure. Comparing it to the past case of attracting the Jeonnam Provincial Office, she pointed out that merely welcoming and celebrating cannot solve local issues. She added that such behavior is focused on showpiece administration rather than regional development.

Council member Son Hye-won strongly criticized the fact that a public opinion poll was never once conducted regarding the priority between a university hospital and a medical school for attracting the medical school. She pointed out that unilaterally pushing projects while excluding minority opinions within the city council is evidence of arrogance and an arbitrary action that does not listen to the voices of citizens.

Council member Son emphasized that attracting a medical school is the only card Mokpo has to revive, adding that it would be difficult without the decisive action of the president and Mayor Min Young-bu. This statement urges active intervention by higher authorities to resolve local issues.

Allegations of unfairness in the nomination process were raised, and it was criticized that this exacerbated political confusion in the region. This was cited as an example demonstrating issues with the Democratic Party's internal nomination system and the influence of specific individuals.

Council member Son Hye-won claimed that Assembly member Kim Won-yi intervened in the party leader election when he was the chairman of the Jeonnam Provincial Party Committee. She stated that Assembly member Kim resigned so quickly that no one knew when, and then joined candidate Kim Min-seok to campaign. This raises suspicions that he used his position as provincial party chairman to support a specific candidate, criticizing it as an act that undermines the fairness of intra-party elections.

She criticized Assembly member Kim Won-yi's cowardly attitude and urged him to take responsibility and resign. This is interpreted as a criticism of politicians' double standards.

Council member Son Hye-won pointed out that 15 Democratic Party city council members in Mokpo City are passively moving according to Assembly member Kim Won-yi's directives, such as holding pickets or going to specific locations. She criticized that the city council members showed a cowardly attitude by making undemocratic distinctions during protests and dinners, blindly following Assembly member Kim Won-yi's instructions. She assessed that such behavior is merely a belated response, and it is difficult to expect substantive legislative activities. Council member Son added that the city council members are failing to truly represent the citizens.

She cited the Muan Namak-Oryong area as one of the decisive reasons for Mokpo's population decline, pointing out the phenomenon where residents living there commute to Mokpo, consume there, but vote in Muan. She criticized former Assembly member Park for neglecting this population outflow and for the lack of effectiveness in discussions about merging with Muan.

She pointed out that no one in the political sphere is addressing measures for the population decline, criticizing the irresponsible attitude of local governments and regional politicians. This expresses serious concern for Mokpo's future.

Council member Son Hye-won emphasized that Mokpo's old downtown is its last lifeline, stating that she has discovered groundbreaking ways to attract people. She explained that lectures are being conducted to build consensus among staff by utilizing unique local resources like tuff rock to revitalize the old downtown. This is presented as part of efforts to regenerate the old downtown through the development of cultural content that highlights local characteristics.

She pointed out that the method where the festival operating organization spearheads everything and selects outsourcing companies to set things up is unfair. Furthermore, she emphasized that the quality is low compared to the budget invested in the festival, and improvements in budget execution transparency and efficiency are needed. This statement asserts that local festivals should be operated based on public participation and common good for all citizens.

The host emphasized that the ultimate purpose of politics is to change our lives, stating that the focus should be on the inherent role of politics rather than on which party will win the next election and regain power. They reaffirmed that resolving local issues and substantively improving citizens' lives are the most important goals of politics. This reflects a critical perspective that the current political sphere is engrossed in partisan interests and neglecting its essential role. The host asserted that true politics should be more than just winning elections.