How the 2026 Local Election Changes in Jeonbuk Could Impact Representation: 4 New Seats Added!

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Ahead of the June 3 ninth nationwide local elections, North Jeolla Province’s provincial assembly was expanded to 44 seats and the district map was finalized. The simultaneous increase in proportional representation and constituency adjustments is expected to reshape the province’s local political landscape.

On April 17, the National Assembly’s Special Committee on Political Reform said the ruling and opposition parties approved an amendment to the Public Officials Election Act that redraws local council districts and adjusts seat counts. In North Jeolla, the number of provincial assembly seats rose by four, from 40 to 44.

Specifically, the Iksan, Gunsan, Gimje and Buan-gap constituencies each gained one seat. Lawmakers also raised the proportional representation share for provincial assembly members from 10% to 12%, increasing North Jeolla’s proportional seats from four to six.

Following a Constitutional Court decision that left parts of the law incompatible with the constitution, Jangsu County and Muju County—both at risk of losing representation—were granted special exemptions to retain their current seats. The measure aims to protect representation for agricultural and fishing communities.

Some municipal council districts were also reconfigured. Gimje City adopted a multi-member district system that elects three or more representatives from a single district, which raises North Jeolla’s municipal council seats from 198 to 200.

Because the mapping was completed after the legal deadline, critics say the delay caused confusion among prospective candidates. Still, political observers are watching whether the increase in total seats and expanded proportional representation will strengthen local representation.

Rep. Yoon Jun-byung, the only member of the Special Committee on Political Reform from North Jeolla, played a key role in the process. He repeatedly argued for expanding the province’s provincial assembly seats during discussions on district mapping and seat allocation.

Yoon warned that calculating provincial seats solely by population would weaken representation for rural areas. He argued that Jangsu and Muju—both low-population counties that faced the risk of losing provincial seats—deserved special exemptions to preserve local representation, and his efforts secured those counties’ seats.

Yoon said, “With less than two months until the June 3 local elections, I worked to represent North Jeolla’s voice and ensure the final map reflected our needs so we could expand seats in a short time. I regret that the district map was not finalized within the deadline, but I am gratified we achieved our goals of expanding provincial seats and protecting representation for Jangsu and Muju.”

He added, “Now that the Special Committee has passed amendments to the Public Officials Election Act covering district mapping, seat increases and electoral reform, we will promptly move forward with candidate selection and do our utmost to secure a decisive victory in the June 3 local elections.”