Flags of participating nations are displayed at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics at Trocadero Square in Paris, July 26. Korea Times photo by Seo Jae-hoon

North Jeolla Province is pushing forward with its aim of securing the right to host the 2036 Summer Olympics. The provincial government announced Thursday that it is exploring both a potential partnership with Seoul, which has already submitted its bid and the possibility of pursuing an independent bid.

The province plans to submit a letter of intent to the Korean Sports and Olympic Committee (KSOC) by Tuesday, the deadline for selecting candidate cities.

Proposed venues for the event include Saemangeum — where the recent World Scout Jamboree was held — alongside Jeonju World Cup Stadium and Muju Taekwondowon, showcasing the region's readiness to host Olympic events.

North Jeolla Province's approach to hosting the 2036 Summer Olympics will depend on ongoing discussions with the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Kim Kwan-young, governor of North Jeolla Province, has proposed co-hosting the Games with Seoul as part of a strategy to position the Olympics as a driver of balanced regional development.

The province argues that co-hosting could create a win-win model, with central and local governments collaborating to enhance Korea's competitive edge against other bidding countries. The inclusion of Saemangeum and other local venues can contribute to an expanded vision for the Games.

Seoul has also recently sought cooperation with Busan, Gyeonggi, Incheon and Gangwon to leverage facilities for its own 2036 Olympic bid, raising the possibility of a joint approach with North Jeolla.

"If we co-host with Seoul, the province could host more than 10 events, including taekwondo and water sports," a North Jeolla Provincial Government official said.

"We will first submit our bid independently to the KSOC and explore co-hosting options with Seoul through further discussions."

TheNorth Jeolla Provincial Government office / Courtesy of North Jeolla Provincial Government

However, the province and the city government have yet to reach an agreement on a joint bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics.

Seoul has expressed its intention to lead the bid independently, arguing that a solo bid would have a stronger chance of competing against other international contenders at the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"There is no precedent for co-hosting the Summer Olympics, and only a single-city bid will be competitive against overseas cities," a Seoul Metropolitan Government official said.

"We also believe the eco-friendly approach proposed by the province doesn't align with the scale and requirements of the Olympics."

North Jeolla has not yet decided whether to pursue a joint bid or go it alone, but an official stated that the province is considering both options.

Some point out that the province's enthusiastic pursuit of the 2036 Summer Olympics may be an effort to overcome the lingering criticism from the recent World Scout Jamboree. Concerns remain over the readiness of infrastructure and land reclamation in Saemangeum by 2036.

Meanwhile, the KSOC will select a candidate city for the Olympics in January 2025. The chosen city will then need to be approved by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism before being submitted to the IOC as Korea's official candidate.

Globally, at least 10 countries, including Qatar, Egypt and Indonesia, are reportedly preparing bids for the 2036 Summer Olympics.