The controversy surrounding the planned closure of Jinju Medical Center showed no signs of letting up, with the proposal pending at the provincial assembly.Members of the medical trade union and the police clashed as the workers attempted to prevent Saenuri Party councilors from attending a plenary session of the local assembly in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, while lawmakers of opposition parties were blocked by the authorities from entering the building.  South Gyeongsang Province’s decisi

Politics April 18, 2013

Central and a provincial authorities are locking horns over a troubled public hospital in Jinju, South Gyeongsang Province, which faces a shutdown order amid snowballing losses and labor strife.Health Minister Chin Young said during his visit to the hospital Wednesday that the ministry will make efforts to normalize its operation. Provincial Gov. Hong Joon-pyo immediately raised opposition, urging the central government to stay out of its decision.The two met in the afternoon, after Chin met uni

Social Affairs April 10, 2013

Jinju Medical Center, the nation’s second-oldest public hospital located in South Gyeongsang Province, is now under threat of a shutdown. The South Gyeongsang Provincial Government made an official statement on Feb. 26 that it has decided to close JMC by May due to its chronic operational deficit and strong trade union. Last year, the medical center incurred a 6.9 billion won ($6.1 million) operational loss, adding to an accumulated deficit of 27.9 billion won. The province governor Hong Joon-py

Social Affairs April 9, 2013