Statement Questions "Whether There Is Genuine Will to Complete the Administrative Capital"
The Korean Local Autonomy Association, Sejong Sarang Citizens' Coalition, and others held the "Joint Planning Seminar on the Completion of Administrative Capital Sejong as a Presidential Election Pledge" at the National Assembly on the 13th of last month. About 300 people from politics, academia, and civic groups attended the seminar, including Sejong Mayor Choi Minho. The Reform New Party, People Power Party, and Democratic Party also participated to announce their pledges related to the administrative capital and Sejong City. / Photo by Sejong City Provided
President Lee Jaemyung's recent directive at a Cabinet meeting to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries from Sejong City to Busan has sparked outrage in the local community. Previously, on the 9th, Sejong Mayor Choi Minho held a press conference to request the withdrawal of the relocation plan.
On the 10th, the Sejong Sarang Citizens' Coalition issued a statement, saying, "We could hardly believe our ears when we heard President Lee Jaemyung's declaration, just days after the launch of the new administration, to promptly relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan," and pointed out, "We cannot help but question whether there is any genuine commitment to the completion of the administrative capital."
The statement continued, "Sejong City, now marking its 13th anniversary, was born after the plan of the Roh Moo-hyun administration to build a new administrative capital in Yeongi and Gongju, South Chungcheong Province, was struck down by the Constitutional Court citing customary law. After years of conflict and hardship, the plan was scaled down to an administrative-centered complex city, which is now under construction with a target completion date of 2030." The coalition emphasized, "It is widely known that the construction of Sejong City was the blueprint for relocating the administrative capital, as part of a national long-term vision to resolve overconcentration in the Seoul metropolitan area, address the decline of local industries, and achieve balanced national development, especially as the cries of children have faded and local economies have collapsed."
The coalition further criticized, "As every previous administration has declared, and as was promised in the last presidential election, the pledge to complete the administrative capital by relocating the presidential office and the National Assembly has rekindled public debate. Not only the 400,000 citizens of Sejong, but also the majority of people in the provinces, have welcomed and looked forward to this. However, despite repeatedly calling for the completion of the administrative capital during election campaigns, we face new circumstances as soon as the elections are over."
The coalition warned, "At a time when we should be congratulating the new administration and looking forward to its policies, the plan to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries will only serve to reignite tensions between the capital region and the provinces. It will also amplify distrust in government policies and hinder our progress toward a hopeful future. The administration must not overlook the fact that this will inevitably face public criticism and resistance."
They urged, "President Lee Jaemyung should reconsider and immediately withdraw the plan to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, which threatens to undermine the crucial project of completing the administrative capital. We call on him to clearly demonstrate to the public his sincere commitment to this goal."
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