Jeonbuk National University (JBNU)-affiliated Institute for Public Conflict and Local Innovation (Director Ha Dong-hyun) signed a memorandum of understanding with Jeonju City (Mayor Woo Beom-gi) and the Jeonju City Research Institute (Director Park Mi-ja) to cooperate in the field of public conflict and local innovation.

The signing ceremony was attended by representatives of the Institute for Public Conflict and Local Innovation and the Jeonju City Research Institute, including Professor Ahn Guk-chan (Department of Public Administration, Executive Vice‑President for External Cooperation), Professor Cho Seung-hyun (Department of Public Administration, Dean of the College of Social Science), Professor Joo Sang-hyun (Department of Public Administration), Kim Kyung-ah (Department of Public Administration, Deputy Director, Institute for Public Conflict and Local Innovation), Professor Cho Ki-woong (Department of Public Administration), Professor Baek Dae-hyun (Department of Public Administration), Researcher Kim Su-yong and other JBNU institute personnel; Chae Gyu-seong (Director, Local Administration Division), Choi Jeong-mi (Team Leader, Local Administration Division), Yoo Young-shin (Administrative Officer, Local Administration Division) and other Jeonju City officials; and key figures from the Jeonju City Research Institute, including Choi Jeong-sook (Director, Management Strategy Office), Lee So-yeon (Head of the Administration Team), Lee Seung-han (Director, Carbon Neutrality Support Center), Research Fellows Yoon Hye-young, Choi Jang-seong, Park Eun-byul, Park Ye-na, and Moon Dong-jin.

Under the agreement, the parties agreed to actively cooperate in areas including education, research and surveys related to public conflict and local innovation; proposing policies and strategies to respond to current issues; research cooperation and technology exchange to enhance mutual competitiveness; and operating programs and collaborative initiatives to nurture talent, including researchers in the field of public conflict.

The Institute for Public Conflict and Local Innovation was designated in December 2022 as a 'Conflict Management Research Institution' by the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the first such designation outside the capital region. The institute provides conflict management training for local governments, local councils, and local public enterprises. In 2023, it delivered conflict management training to 23 public institutions and approximately 1,060 public officials. The institute is deepening research and practice related to the prevention and resolution of conflicts in public institutions and operates various projects aimed at contributing to national and local conflict resolution, consensus building, and regional integration.

Park Mi-ja (Director, Jeonju City Research Institute) said, "Through this agreement, our goal is to resolve public conflicts among various stakeholders in the local community and to contribute to Jeonju City's development and prosperity through innovative ideas. We will play a leading role in regional development through continuous communication and cooperation with Jeonju City and the Institute for Public Conflict and Local Innovation."

Ha Dong-hyun (Director, Department of Public Administration, JBNU) said, "This MOU provides an opportunity for the three parties—the Institute for Public Conflict and Local Innovation, the Jeonju City Research Institute, and Jeonju City—to come together and produce practical outcomes for regional development across various administrative fields, including public conflict. In particular, as newly established organizations, our institute and the Jeonju City Research Institute will leverage our youth and boldness to create a platform for regional innovation together."