Busan Local Council Also Opposes Ministry Relocation, People Power Party in Sejong Welcomes Vote

Democratic Party Sejong City Council Members
Take a Cautious Stance on Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Relocation Remarks

Choi Minho, mayor of Sejong City affiliated with the People Power Party, is holding a solo protest.

While Choi Minho, mayor of Sejong City, and politicians affiliated with the People Power Party continue to voice opposition to the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, members of the People Power Party in Busan have also begun to oppose the move.

On July 4, the day of Mayor Choi Minho’s final solo protest against the relocation, President Lee Jaemyung visited Daejeon. On the same day, People Power Party members of the Sejong City Council, along with Daejeon city and district council members and party officials, gathered at the Daejeon Convention Center to hold a picket protest, raising their voices against the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries.

According to local media, on the same afternoon, local residents took to the streets in response to People Power Party members of the Haeundae District Council in Busan, who had voted down a resolution urging the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan. The Haeundae District residents’ group held a press conference in front of Haeundae District Office to condemn all People Power Party council members from Haeundae. The residents criticized, "The People Power Party council members of Haeundae District were preoccupied with party interests and voted down the resolution urging the relocation of the ministry to Busan." They argued that the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan is an issue that requires cooperation from all political parties. Meanwhile, the People Power Party political circles in Sejong City welcomed the fact that the district council members voted down the resolution.

However, there has also been criticism regarding local council members acting against the will of local residents. The argument is that regardless of party affiliation, local council members should represent the will of their constituents. In short, Sejong City council members should represent the opinions and interests of Sejong residents, while in Busan, local council members should represent the opinions and interests of Busan residents.

In particular, the Democratic Party, which holds the majority of seats in the Sejong City Council, appears to be remaining silent. Since the relocation was a campaign pledge by the president from their own party, they cannot openly oppose it, nor can they fully support it, so they are choosing to remain silent. As a result, only People Power Party council members from Sejong City have taken to the streets to protest the relocation.

A political insider commented, "A truly absurd situation is unfolding in local councils," and added, "It is regrettable to see local councils, which should be seeking solutions and alternatives, instead subordinated to party interests." There is also the possibility that this situation could escalate into conflict among local residents.

Meanwhile, at the 288th regular session of the Haeundae District Council held on June 19, a resolution urging the prompt relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, proposed by Democratic Party council member Kim Mihui, was voted down with 9 votes in favor and 10 votes against.