Kim Youngjoo, Chairman of the Jinju City Merchants Association, Holds Solo Protest on Innovation City Issues in Front of Sejong Government Complex

Participates in Relay Protest on September 23

Urges for Attraction of Integrated Headquarters of Power Generation Public Enterprises to Jinju

Claims "Policies Related to Innovation City Are Also Linked to Local Commercial Districts and Everyday Economy"

Kim Youngjoo, Chairman of the Jinju City Merchants Association, participated in a relay solo protest to deliver local demands regarding issues related to the Jinju Innovation City in Gyeongnam to the government.

According to the Jinju City Merchants Association, Chairman Kim staged a one-person protest on September 23, 2026, in front of the Government Complex Sejong, urging for the attraction of the integrated headquarters of power generation public enterprises to Jinju, a reconsideration of the separation of functions at Korea Land and Housing Corporation (LH), and for the second phase of public institution relocations to focus on existing innovation cities.

[Photo provided by Jinju City] Kim Youngjoo, President of the Jinju City Merchants Association, is conducting a one-person protest on the 23rd in front of the Government Complex Sejong, urging the hosting of the integrated headquarters of the public enterprise in Jinju, reconsideration of the separation of functions of the Korea Land and Housing Corporation, and prioritizing the relocation of public institutions to existing innovation cities during the second phase of relocation.

This solo protest was part of a series of relay demonstrations taking place in the Jinju area regarding innovation city-related issues.

The relay protests began with Jo Gyuil, Mayor of Jinju, and have included representatives from local sports, economic, women’s, academic, and political circles. On this day, Kim Youngjoo, Chairman of the Jinju City Merchants Association, joined, representing merchants from local traditional markets and shopping areas.

The Jinju City Merchants Association stated that innovation city and public institution policies are significant issues that can affect the region’s population, consumption, and commercial districts, thereby impacting the local economy.

On the same day, Chairman Kim emphasized, “The innovation city issue is closely linked to the everyday economy of local merchants and citizens,” and called on the government “to consider regional commercial districts and the overall local economy, and to review ways to reflect these issues in government policy.”

The Merchants Association specifically presented the following main demands: the attraction of the integrated headquarters of power generation public enterprises to Jinju; a reconsideration of the separation of LH functions; and, for the second phase of public institution relocations, concentrated relocation centered on existing innovation cities.

Among these, the location of the integrated headquarters for power generation public enterprises, the restructuring of LH functions, and the method of the second wave of public institution relocations are all matters that require future review and decision by the government.

The Jinju City Merchants Association announced that going forward, it plans to continue conveying the opinions of local merchants regarding innovation city issues and will collaborate with regional organizations on related activities.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.