Minho Choi: "Public Skeptical of Government’s Rationale for Ministry Relocation"

"This Is Not Democracy,
Immediate Dialogue Is Needed"

Minho Choi, Mayor of Sejong City, is visiting and having a conversation at the site of the hunger strike by Chairman Byungcheol Yoon. / Photo by Public Relations Office

Minho Choi, Mayor of Sejong City, expressed concern on July 12 that "continuing a hunger strike in this intense heat could lead to serious health issues" during his visit to Byungcheol Yoon, head of the National Government Employees' Union’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries branch.

Chairman Yoon has been holding a press conference and continuing his hunger strike since July 9 to protest the government's plan to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan, despite the ongoing heat wave with temperatures exceeding 30 degrees Celsius each day.

On this day, Mayor Choi pointed out, "It is unreasonable to push ahead with the relocation within this year without proper dialogue or explanation, especially when there is growing public skepticism about the justification presented by the new administration for the Ministry’s move to Busan."

He added, "Many people are skeptical of the argument that the Ministry must be in Busan to gain an advantage in developing the Arctic shipping route or to revitalize Busan’s economy. Nevertheless, pushing forward with such a hardline approach is a hasty decision that is neither right for balanced regional development nor for democracy."

Chairman Byungcheol Yoon stated, "As a public servant, I have no choice but to follow the orders of the state, but shouldn’t we at least be given time to prepare?" He continued, "All the employees were shocked, but at this point, this is all we can do."

Mayor Choi agreed that, just as the relocation of government ministries to Sejong was carried out gradually over ten years with systematic support measures for public officials, employees of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries should also be given sufficient time to adjust.

Chairman Yoon also said, "There are various alternatives, such as introducing a dual vice-minister system or establishing a Presidential National Ocean Strategy Committee," urging the government to engage in thorough and in-depth discussions. He explained, "Some employees are seeking psychiatric treatment as their entire lives are being disrupted, including their spouse’s workplace, children’s schools, and housing. We need enough time to fully review and prepare measures to mitigate the anticipated side effects of splitting operations between Seoul, Sejong, and Busan."

Attention is now focused on whether Mayor Choi’s renewed suggestion to Minister of Oceans and Fisheries nominee Jaesoo Jeon for a public debate will be accepted. Previously, on July 1, Mayor Choi proposed an open debate to Minister nominee Jaesoo Jeon regarding the Ministry’s relocation, and on July 7, he sent an open letter to President Jaemyung Lee requesting reconsideration of the move.

He especially emphasized that he has never viewed the Ministry’s relocation from a self-interested perspective of regional gains or losses. This is for the basic rights of Ministry employees, who are also Sejong citizens, for the long-term vision of completing the administrative capital, and for the necessity of social consensus.