Citizens from Daegu and Gyeongbuk have voiced their strong opposition to the ongoing administrative integration efforts in a statement declaring, "Administrative integration without electoral reform is a disaster." Over 180 individuals participated in this appeal, initiated by Professor Kim Min-nam and supported by 170 others. They argue that the current decision-making structures in their region are characterized by a dominant mayoral figure, ineffective local councils, and weak civil society, suggesting that unchecked mayoral power could lead to severe ramifications for local governance.

The citizens proposed concrete reforms to improve local governance, emphasizing the need to democratize the power structures within the community. They called for mechanisms to limit the powers of consolidated leaders and to bolster the functions of local councils. Furthermore, they advocated for electoral system reforms to enhance political diversity, representation, and democracy in local governance, suggesting measures such as a runoff voting system for mayors, expanding proportional representation in regional councils to at least 30%, and implementing large electoral districts for basic administrative units.

In conjunction with these protests, the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Health and Welfare Federation held a press conference highlighting specific controversial provisions in the administrative integration bill, which could enable the establishment of profit-making hospitals under the guise of economic zones. They warned that such developments would jeopardize citizens' health rights and demanded the immediate cessation of what they perceive as dangerous trials masquerading as administrative integration. On the same day, various labor and farmer associations also rallied for the bill’s annulment, illustrating widespread concern and opposition among different sectors of society.