The 'Mega Seoul' Proposed by the Ruling Party Raises Concerns Within... Opposition Calls It "Populism"

People Power Party to Promote as Party Policy in Form of 'Legislator Legislation'
Within the Party, Concerns That It May Be a Minus for Public Opinion in Seoul Outskirts
Opposition Park Jumin Asks, "Are You in a Hurry?"

The political sphere is abuzz over the People Power Party's (PPP) proposal of 'Mega Seoul.' As the PPP pushes for the incorporation of Gimpo City in Gyeonggi Province into Seoul as a party policy, attention is focused on whether this will become a 'game changer' that influences the metropolitan area vote in next April's general election. Expectations are also rising for additional incorporations of other cities within the Seoul living area, such as Gwangmyeong, Guri, Hanam, and Goyang. The Democratic Party criticized the ruling party's Seoul incorporation proposal as a populist pledge for the election, arguing that it should be discussed from the perspective of 'regional balanced development.'

Kim Ki-hyun, the leader of the People Power Party, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

According to the ruling party on the 1st, the PPP internally hopes to boost metropolitan area public sentiment by preemptively setting the agenda of 'Mega Seoul.' A party official said, "Regardless of our intentions, isn't the metropolitan area vote swinging? It is being commonly accepted that there is high public preference in the relevant area."

Earlier, on the 30th of last month, PPP leader Kim Gi-hyeon stated at a meeting on transportation measures for new towns in the metropolitan area, "If Gimpo City completes the procedure to gather citizens' opinions and incorporate into Seoul, we will respect the opinions of Gimpo residents and actively proceed with the process of incorporating Gimpo City into Seoul." The PPP plans to collect local residents' opinions and then promote this as a party policy in the form of member legislation.

However, some party committee chairpersons who had been establishing bases in the so-called difficult outer Seoul areas voiced criticism. Lee Seung-hwan, chairperson of the PPP's Seoul Jungnang-eul district committee, said on SBS Radio that day, "There are many districts in the outer Seoul area that are truly discriminated against. Jungnang District lacks department stores, wedding halls, and Korean traditional restaurants with private rooms, so people go to the neighboring Guri to find these." He added, "If they say 'we will incorporate Guri too,' what about the psychological fairness of those who left then or those who have stayed and lived here?" When asked if the existing public sentiment in the outer Seoul areas might turn negative, he replied, "Yes."

Kim Jae-seop, chairperson of the PPP's Seoul Dobong-gap district committee, also expressed opposition to incorporating parts of Gyeonggi into Seoul, stating on Facebook the previous day, "We should take good care of the existing Seoul rather than creating a new Seoul."

Despite such internal concerns, the PPP's decision to prioritize Gimpo City's 'Seoul incorporation' as the first metropolitan area strategy is interpreted as an attempt to find a breakthrough for the 'metropolitan area crisis theory.' All areas considered for Seoul incorporation lack incumbent PPP lawmakers, so the more local residents favor incorporation, the greater the potential support for the PPP.

The Democratic Party does not oppose the 'Seoul incorporation theory' itself but criticized the PPP for the manner, procedure, and timing of raising the issue.

Hong Ik-pyo, the Democratic Party floor leader, said on CBS Radio that morning, "Raising such issues populistically ahead of elections is very inappropriate." He pointed out, "There has been no sufficient review or proper opinion gathering. This causes division even within Gimpo between those for and against incorporation." For example, in areas near a landfill site, if incorporation into Seoul occurs, they would have to accept Seoul's 'landfill' policy. Areas far from the landfill tend to support incorporation, while those close oppose it, causing opinions to split within the same region and fostering regional selfishness.

Hong Ik-pyo, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the party meeting held at the National Assembly on the 30th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

He also raised fairness issues regarding other 'Seoul living area cities' such as Gwacheon, Uiwang, Gwangmyeong, Namyangju, and Seongnam besides Gimpo. He said, "Based on living areas, other regions besides Gimpo might be prioritized. Therefore, when raising such issues, it must be done very carefully, with opinion gathering from local residents and coordination between the involved Seoul and Gyeonggi local governments, and political acceptance, but it was opposed." He added, "If all the prime cities in Gyeonggi are sent to Seoul, what happens to Gyeonggi? Are the rest of Gyeonggi residents to be abandoned?"

The day before, the Democratic Party Gyeonggi Provincial Party issued a statement criticizing the PPP's decision to make Seoul incorporation a party policy, saying, "Gimpo City is not a sticker. Don't just stick it anywhere." Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon also drew a line on the 27th on MBC Radio, saying, "It is unrealistic."

Park Ju-min, Democratic Party senior deputy floor leader, criticized the PPP's 'Mega Seoul' proposal, saying, "In Gyeongnam or Busan, there are already questions like 'What about the regional balanced development pursued so far?'" He added on BBS Radio, "It should proceed with realism in mind, but if it is just thrown out, it can leave very deep painful wounds."