Kim Kwan-young, the governor of North Jeolla Province, moved his residence to Wanju County on the 21st. This demonstrates his commitment to the administrative merger of Jeonju City and Wanju County. Residents of Wanju County, who oppose the merger, fiercely protested, including attempting to obstruct the governor's relocation report.
On that day, the governor completed his relocation report at the administrative welfare center in Samnye-eup, Wanju County, along with his spouse, Mok Yong-suk. That day, dozens of Wanju County residents who opposed the merger came to the administrative welfare center to prevent the governor's relocation report.
They held banners reading 'Stop the merger that abolishes Wanju County' and 'Firmly oppose the merger,' surrounding the relocation report window and blocking the governor's vehicle. They also shouted, "The governor, who should maintain neutrality, is directly leading the merger." During this process, intense physical clashes occurred between the pro-merger and anti-merger groups.
The governor plans to communicate with residents through various means, such as informal meetings or street discussions, while commuting from the apartment where he registered his relocation to the North Jeolla Provincial Office located in Jeonju's Wansan District. Previously, the governor attempted to hold discussions with Wanju County residents three times but failed due to strong opposition from the residents.
The merger between Jeonju City and Wanju County is expected to be decided through a referendum around the end of August, aligning with next year's local election schedule in June. This is the fourth attempt at a merger since the first attempt in 2013.