Choi Minho Expresses Concerns Over Completion of Administrative Capital
Calls for Reconsideration of Relocation Plan
On the 7th, Sejong Mayor Choi Minho held a press conference raising concerns about the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan and delivered an open letter to President Lee Jae Myung. Photo by Planning and Coordination Office
Amid confusion in the Sejong community over the planned relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, Sejong Mayor Choi Minho delivered an open letter to President Lee Jae Myung and announced its contents on July 7. In the letter, he formally requested a reconsideration of the hasty push for the relocation, raising concerns and highlighting potential negative consequences.
On this day, Mayor Choi held a press conference and called for a direct response from the President or an official reply from a responsible government official regarding the social controversy surrounding the relocation of the ministry to Busan.
He stated, "While I share the vision of establishing Korea as a maritime powerhouse, relocating the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan will result in inefficiency in government operations and contradicts the presidential pledge to complete the administrative capital." He added, "I urge you to listen to the sincere concerns of Sejong and the Chungcheong region, who are asking for consistency in government policy."
Mayor Choi explained that the reason for issuing the open letter was the lack of sufficient and convincing explanations regarding the relocation. He also noted that he was not invited to the Chungcheong region town hall meeting held in Daejeon on July 4, missing the opportunity to share his views.
The open letter divides the controversies surrounding the relocation into four main categories and requests explanations for each.
First, he asked for an explanation regarding concerns that the relocation to Busan would be ineffective in achieving national goals such as opening the Arctic route and establishing Korea as a maritime powerhouse, and would instead lead to inefficiency and waste in government administration. He argued that opening the Arctic route requires a comprehensive national response strategy through close inter-ministerial cooperation, and that it would be more efficient for the ministry to remain in Sejong.
He also requested clarification on how the relocation aligns with President Lee Jae Myung's pledge to complete the administrative capital. He asked whether the policy maintains consistency with the national task of completing the administrative capital, whether the proper procedures have been followed, and whether there are any contradictions within the policy itself, urging the government to persuade the public who have such doubts.
He further argued that the costs of inefficiency in government operations and the economic losses to the region losing the ministry must be considered. He cited Jeonnam Province's request to host the Ministry of Climate and Energy, and Gyeongnam Province's mention of relocating the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, and asked how the government would respond to similar demands from other regions in the future.
In particular, he expressed concern about the need to set a deadline for the relocation within the year. He pointed out the problems that could arise from a hasty move, such as the disruption and anxiety among ministry employees and their families who would have to prepare for relocation overnight without proper planning. He said, "A rushed decision could lead to unrest among ministry staff and lack of preparation, resulting in lower morale among public officials who should be focused on making Korea a maritime powerhouse, as well as gaps in operations. Sufficient consideration and preparation time are necessary."
He also said, "The dedication of Chungcheong residents to national development and the completion of the administrative capital should not be dismissed as selfishness based on regionalism," and requested that the President retract his statement that Chungcheong has already received many benefits. He emphasized that while presidential pledges are important, government policies in a democracy must be pursued with public understanding and support. He argued that only when government policies are consistent and accurate can they create the synergy needed to achieve policy goals, and that this is the true meaning of policy consistency and the iron rule of administration.
Meanwhile, the open letter was delivered to the Presidential Secretariat by Vice Mayor for Economic Affairs Lee Seungwon on the morning of July 7, prior to the press conference.
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