South Korea’s Ministry of Education selected Gyeongkuk National University to establish a new medical school and allocated an annual admission quota of 40 students, according to Gyeongbuk Maeil. The government’s stated target is for the first class to enter in 2030, giving the university and local authorities several years to prepare the program.
Andong plans to work with North Gyeongsang Province, Yecheon County, the university and other institutions to support the medical school and a teaching hospital. The local government also intends to develop conditions that could help doctors trained in the region remain there. The available evidence does not specify the hospital’s site, capacity, budget or completion schedule.
- Annual admission quota
- 40 students
- Target for first entering class
- 2030
- Selected institution
- Gyeongkuk National University
The selection follows a four-year local campaign that Andong made a major municipal priority in 2022. The city coordinated government petitions, public discussions and support planning, while a 2023 cooperation declaration brought together the city council and the university then known as Andong National University. Public forums, a rally and a signature campaign were also held.
Four years of local coordination preceded approval
Advocacy continued through a National Assembly forum in 2024 and direct approaches to central ministries. Eight formal meetings involving the province, city and university were held from May last year through April this year, followed by four meetings of a support council. Local representatives also raised the proposal during the health minister’s visit to Andong Hospital last December and visited the health and education ministries in March and April.
North Gyeongsang Province and Andong commissioned research on an implementation strategy, while the province and university submitted their establishment plan to the Education Ministry on August 20. The confirmed selection and 40-seat allocation settle the initial policy decision, but opening in 2030 still depends on completing academic, clinical and institutional preparations. Further government and university announcements will be needed to establish the teaching hospital plan and detailed implementation schedule.