Held at the vacant lot next to Hyundai Motor in Naseong-dong, Sejong
Sejong Mayor Choi Minho and MOF labor union to deliver open remarks
Local residents who oppose the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (hereafter referred to as MOF) to Busan are organizing a citizens’ cultural festival to strengthen their solidarity.
The "Citizens’ Cultural Festival Against the MOF Relocation to Busan," which is open to voluntary participation by citizens, will be held at 7 p.m. on the 11th (Friday) in the vacant lot next to Hyundai Motor in Naseong-dong. The event is hosted by the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries Citizen Guard Team.
Notably, Sejong Mayor Choi Minho and representatives from the MOF labor union are also scheduled to attend and deliver open remarks, drawing attention to the messages they may convey.
According to the Citizen Guard Team, the event is intended to gather citizens’ opinions on the increasingly controversial MOF relocation issue and to urge the government to initiate a public debate process.
They stated, "President Lee Jaemyung’s recent remarks suggesting that Daejeon, Chungnam, and Sejong should not try to claim everything have sparked controversy, as they appear to portray Chungcheong residents as selfish." They criticized these comments for fueling regional conflict and disparaging Chungcheong residents. Their plan is to build consensus among local residents regarding the problematic nature of these remarks and to encourage voluntary citizen participation and the spread of public opinion.
The organizers emphasized, "This event is not a protest but a citizens’ cultural festival, and participation by families is also welcome."
Park Yunkyung, head of the MOF Citizen Guard Team, expressed concern, stating, "The relocation of the MOF could likely lead to a chain relocation of related agencies and deal a further blow to the local economy, which is already struggling with issues such as the nation’s highest vacancy rate in commercial properties."
She added, "In the past, the Lee Myungbak administration’s attempt to reduce Sejong City to a corporate city was thwarted by the united resistance of Sejong citizens. If citizens join forces, it will be entirely possible to stop the MOF relocation."
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