[Inside Chodong] Gimpo City's Haphazard Push for Incorporation into Seoul

When looking at the controversy over the incorporation of Gimpo City into Seoul, there are many points that are hard to accept. The most important aspect of the incorporation process is persuading the citizens of Seoul. To this end, Gimpo City has put forward two main arguments. One is the metropolitan landfill site for waste, and the other is that Seoul could have a West Sea port utilizing the Han River. However, the landfill site issue was dismissed even by the mayor of Gimpo, who said, "It is not under our jurisdiction." As for the West Sea port utilizing the Han River, a closer look reveals that its feasibility is very low.

Seoul plans to begin a pilot operation of the Han River Riverbus in September next year. The Riverbus is proposed as an alternative to the Gimpo Gold Line, which has been criticized as "Kimgolla (Gimpo Gold Line)" for its overcrowding. The goal of the Riverbus is to operate the route from Ara Hangang Lock to Yeouido, approximately 15 km, in 30 minutes. But why does it only operate up to Ara Hangang Lock and not to the more populous Gimpo New Town? The reason is the 'Singok Underwater Weir.' Near Gimpo Bridge, there is the Singok Underwater Weir, which makes navigation difficult for boats. During the "Han River Estuary Peace Boat Launching Event" in July 2018, vessels departing from the Yeouido Marina in Seoul had to time their passage to coincide with high tide to pass the Singok Underwater Weir.

Even if the Singok Underwater Weir is somehow passed, the next obstacle is the "North Korea issue." The Han River estuary is a neutral zone adjacent to North Korea, where civilian vessels are allowed free movement under the armistice agreement, but in reality, no vessels pass through due to the tense inter-Korean situation. For this reason, even Daemyeong Port, a representative port of Gimpo City, faces difficulties navigating northward through the Yeomha Waterway between Ganghwa Island and Gimpo. The "Opening of the Peace Waterway Yeomha Waterway Navigation" event jointly held by the Ministry of Unification and Gimpo City in 2021 was the first instance of free navigation of the Yeomha Waterway since the Korean War. In other words, even if Gimpo City is incorporated into Seoul, large vessels will not be able to freely navigate the Han River estuary immediately.

Regarding the incorporation into Seoul, Gimpo City claims to have been researching and reviewing the matter for a year, and the ruling party’s think tank, the People Power Party Yeouido Research Institute, has been doing so for two months. However, according to recent disclosures in the National Assembly, no review report has been produced. Hong Cheol-ho, the People Power Party’s Gyeonggi Gimpo-eul district committee chairman, stated that "84% of Gimpo citizens support the incorporation," but official public opinion polls are only now beginning.

The official investigative body for the incorporation was only established after Gimpo Mayor Kim Byung-su met with Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Although discussions about Gimpo’s incorporation had been ongoing, an official organization was formed only after Seoul’s involvement. It is also questionable why there was no prior exchange of opinions or cooperation requests with the mayors of Seoul and Incheon, who are local government heads from the same party.

The ruling party argues that incorporating Gimpo into Seoul will enhance Seoul’s international competitiveness and greatly benefit the convenience of Gimpo citizens. Based on this, they have been expanding their plans by consecutively proposing follow-up measures such as the 'Mega Seoul Plan,' '3-Axis Mega City (Seoul, Gwangju, Busan),' and 'Super Metropolitan Mega City.'

Since the restoration of local autonomy, there have been several attempts at incorporation and mergers of local governments, but only three cases have been successful. Although Seoul’s claims to incorporate surrounding satellite cities arise with every administrative district reorganization, none have been realized. It is said that the residents’ referendum involving Seoul City, Gimpo City, and Gyeonggi Province for this incorporation will cost 100 billion won in taxes. Such a complex and costly administrative district adjustment cannot be explained and passed over in a haphazard manner. If the incorporation of Gimpo City into Seoul is truly necessary, persuasive grounds must be established.