As South Korea's National Assembly prepares to review the special law on administrative integration, a significant opposition is emerging from the education sector. The Korea Teachers and Education Workers Union's Gyeongbuk branch held a press conference condemning the proposed legislation, arguing that it constitutes a "comprehensive set of retreat from public education" due to clauses allowing for special-purpose schools and advanced learning practices that could undermine the public education system. The union insists that protecting the public nature of education should be a priority in discussions about the future of the region.

The concerns voiced highlight a perceived disconnect between the intended educational autonomy proposed by the law and the rise of elitist education models that propagate competition rather than collaboration in public education. Gyeongbuk and Daegu branch members jointly expressed their view that if the integration is to benefit the region's future, it must uphold the essential aspects of public education. Additionally, Daegu's education chief has raised alarms over the lack of reflection of fundamental educational demands in the current drafts of the law, suggesting that municipal government proposals could lead to a detrimental status quo regarding educational fiscal responsibilities.

Moreover, protests against the administrative integration are also gaining traction among local residents. A citizens' committee representing the northern regions of Gyeongbuk organized demonstrations, calling for the assurance of their area's significance in the integration process and demanding that local governance and public resource allocations favor their territories. Their actions signify deeper concerns regarding regional representation and equity in the proposed integration framework, indicating that without adequate assurances, the integration could face serious challenges ahead.