Jeonbuk National University (JBNU) welcomed the Jo-guk Innovation Party Jeonbuk Provincial Chapter's proposal to secure a budget and take joint action for JBNU's additional selection in the ‘Make 10 Seoul National Universities’ project. The university urged the government and political circles to promptly proceed with follow-up selections and provide substantial financial support.

On October 13, the Jo-guk Innovation Party Jeonbuk Provincial Chapter and National Assembly member Kang Kyung-sook said at a press conference they would work to secure the budget needed for JBNU's additional selection next year, and proposed cross-party joint action to lawmakers from the Jeonbuk region.

Earlier, on the 7th, Rep. Kang requested expanded support during the National Assembly Education Committee's parliamentary audit, citing disparities among regional flagship national universities and the need for balanced development across regions. Minister of Education Choi Kyo-jin replied, “We will try to increase the number by at least two, if possible.”

JBNU assessed the proposal as a meaningful opportunity to move discussions about additional selection toward concrete budget procurement and implementation. In light of the Ministry of Education's expressed willingness to provide additional support, the university said that necessary funds must be secured during the National Assembly's budget review and that the schedule and implementation plan for subsequent selections should be promptly presented.

JBNU has emphasized that to achieve the policy goals of easing concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area and promoting national balanced development, support must be expanded beyond a few flagship national universities to include universities that were not selected. The university stressed that disparities in financial and educational conditions between institutions should not lead to gaps in talent cultivation and industrial competitiveness across regions.

JBNU stated that additional selection is not only critical for the university's development but is directly linked to nurturing talent to lead Jeonbuk's future industries and strengthening regional innovation capacity. The university explained that stable support is needed to connect its education and research capabilities with regional strategic industries—such as Saemangeum and agriculture, life sciences and bio—and to broaden the foundation for graduates who grew up in the region to settle locally.

To this end, JBNU stressed that Jeonbuk region lawmakers, political parties, Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and universities must respond together. It called for cross-party cooperation so that political will does not remain a declaration but leads to inclusion in next year's budget and concrete policy measures.

The university requested that the Ministry of Education disclose the evaluation criteria used in the first selection and the university-specific evaluation results to the respective universities. Providing sufficient information so that universities that were not selected can accurately identify areas for improvement and prepare for subsequent selections is the starting point for enhancing the fairness and transparency of the policy.

The Jeonbuk National University Alumni Association also welcomed the Jo-guk Innovation Party Jeonbuk Provincial Chapter's proposal in a separate statement that day, and urged a joint response from Jeonbuk's political circles and responsible follow-up measures from the government. The Alumni Association said it will support the university's development plans and the future of the alma mater and region by connecting its alumni network with local companies.

Going forward, JBNU will closely cooperate with the political sphere, local governments, the Alumni Association and other local stakeholders to respond to the additional selection and to develop concrete plans to link education and research innovation with regional industry.