The four cities and provinces of the Chungcheong region have raised a unified voice to strongly urge the establishment of the National Dental Research Institute in Cheonan.

Key figures from the Chungcheong region—including Governor Park Soo-hyun, Daejeon Mayor Heo Tae-jung, Sejong Mayor Cho Sang-ho, Chungbuk Governor Shin Yong-han, and Koo Hyung-seo, Chairman of the Chungcheong Megacity Union Council—revealed their joint commitment through a picket performance at the "Policy Symposium for the Enactment of the Special Act on the Chungcheong Megacity Union," held on the 2nd at the Kensington Hotel in Seoul.

This performance was arranged to highlight the establishment of the National Dental Research Institute in Cheonan as a national project requiring joint interest and cooperation across the Chungcheong region during an event aimed at strengthening ultra-regional cooperation through the enactment of the Special Act on the Chungcheong Megacity Union, and to externally publicize the region's joint response readiness for future government open competitions.

During the opening ceremony of the first part of the event, attendees held pickets reading "Establish the National Dental Research Institute in Cheonan" and chanted slogans to add momentum to the bid for Cheonan.

For the slogans, when the leader shouted, "Establishment of the Dental Research Institute!", the attendees responded with, "To Cheonan! To Cheonan! To Cheonan!". This was followed by the leader shouting, "The future of South Korea's dentistry!", with the attendees chanting, "In Cheonan! In Cheonan! In Cheonan!".

In the meantime, the province has continuously laid the foundation for the bid by securing a prospective site in advance, pursuing research studies, submitting petitions to the National Assembly and the government, and fostering joint cooperation across the Chungcheong region.

Cheonan boasts nationwide accessibility via Cheonan-Asan KTX Station, as well as dental education and clinical infrastructure—including Dankook University Dental College and Hospital—alongside a robust bio and medical industry foundation.

Going forward, the province plans to foster the National Dental Research Institute as a hub for dental research and industrial development in the Chungcheong region by building an "Ultra-regional National Dental Industry Cooperation Belt" that links the strengths of the Chungcheong region: the advanced medical and industrial capabilities of Osong and Ochang in Chungbuk, the administrative and policy prowess of Sejong, and the science and technology research capacity of Daejeon.

Governor Park Soo-hyun stated, "The Chungcheong region holds distinct strengths in administration, science and technology, medicine, and industry, and when we connect them into one, we can create greater synergy." He added, "We will link the bid for the National Dental Research Institute in Cheonan with the region's ultra-regional cooperation to establish a new growth engine leading the development of South Korea's dentistry."

He further emphasized, "As Cheonan has already prepared for the bid through site acquisition and research studies, we will continue to pool our strengths with the Chungcheong region to actively respond to the government's open competition."

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