Mulya Post Office closure sparks protests in Bonghwa County

Residents and local organizations in Mulya-myeon, Bonghwa County, held a large-scale protest on October 16 to demand the reversal of the decision to close the Mulya Post Office. Scheduled to close on January 1, 2027, the facility has served as a vital postal and financial hub for the region since 1966.

Protesters, including village leaders and farmers, expressed concerns that the closure will deprive the elderly population of essential services, as many are unable to use digital banking. Local farmers also fear increased logistical burdens for shipping agricultural products. The issue stems from the expiration of the facility's status as a special post office, a system where private entities provide services in areas where state-run offices are difficult to establish.

Kim Du-han, chairman of the Mulya-myeon Village Leaders Association, argued that closing the office in a region facing severe population decline is an infringement on basic rights. Rather than closing the branch due to profitability concerns, residents are calling for the government to convert the facility into a standard state-operated post office to ensure continued public service.