Minister Yun Ho-jung said regarding the Jeonju-Wanju merger that "agreement on the procedures must come first."
Minister Yun said at the "Jeonju-Wanju merger promotion roundtable" held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 25th, "To push forward with merger procedures such as a referendum, at a minimum there must first be agreement on the procedures," adding, "If a merger is pushed unilaterally without a prior agreement on procedures, conflicts between regions will intensify, and the damage could go straight back to local residents."
Yun said, "All past merger discussions were carried out on the premise of agreement on the procedures." Earlier in 2013, there was also discussion of a Jeonju-Wanju merger, but it fell through after a Wanju County referendum returned 45% in favor and 55% against.
Minister Yun said, "Although it was scrapped at the time because the Wanju County referendum produced a majority against, there was agreement between the regions on holding a referendum," adding, "I hope that through dialogue and debate, concession and compromise, we can have constructive discussion here today."
Meanwhile, attending the roundtable were Minister Yun, Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers Ahn Ho-young and Lee Seong-yoon, Jeonbuk State Governor Kim Kwan-young, Jeonju Mayor Woo Beom-gi, and Wanju County Governor Yu Hee-tae.
Discussion of a Jeonju-Wanju merger began in June last year at the suggestion of Wanju County residents, and on 4th the Presidential Committee for Decentralization and Balanced Development resolved a Jeonju-Wanju merger plan on the premise of "securing the support and consensus of local residents."