Earticle

Korea continued to make an administrative district reform to separate urban and rural areas. But, since the operation of local government system in 1995, the reform has been focused on integrating towns and counties again.Even though the government recommended to integrate, Muan Peninsula still has not fulfilled the recommendation among the 92 cities and counties. Muan Peninsula tried to consolidate its area several times but failed each time because of the objection of Muan county. But, recently, the discussion on the integration is resumed as a lot of development plans have been announced and carried out.Most of the preceding studies are evaluating the performance of integration after the urban-rural integration takes place. However, this study about the region that failed the integration though its necessity is increasing tried to make clear the reason why they oppose the integration and indicate the solutions through the investigation of the residents' awareness.As for the reasons for opposing integration, harmony is made difficult even when integration takes place since the two regions are heterogeneous, and the need for integration is not felt in the regions where there is potential for self-development. In particular, residents who are negative to integration are mostly those in the commercial field and the residents of the southern part of the Muan County. Integration requires increased sense of community among the residents and awareness on the synergy effect on the regional development.