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Governor Faces Backlash for Controversial Marriage Proposal

2/5/2026

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Summary

Story summary

On February 4, Kim Hee-su, the governor of Jindo in South Jeolla Province, faced backlash for suggesting at a town hall that young women be imported from Sri Lanka or Vietnam to marry local men during discussions on regional integration.
Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung deemed the remarks inappropriate.
South Jeolla Province plans to hold three more town meetings to gather resident feedback on the integration process.

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Story summary

On February 4, Kim Hee-su, the governor of Jindo in South Jeolla Province, faced backlash for suggesting at a town hall that young women be imported from Sri Lanka or Vietnam to marry local men during discussions on regional integration.
Gwangju Mayor Kang Gi-jung deemed the remarks inappropriate.
South Jeolla Province plans to hold three more town meetings to gather resident feedback on the integration process.