Chungcheong Hometown Association Central Committee Issues Statement on MOF Relocation to Busan

Concerns are growing over the planned relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) to Busan.

On July 14, the Chungcheong Hometown Association Central Committee issued a statement, saying, "The relocation of the MOF is an act that disregards the Chungcheong region and undermines the balanced national development. As the representative group of Chungcheong natives, who take pride in our heritage of loyalty and patriotism, the Chungcheong Hometown Association expresses deep concern and strong opposition to the government's plan to relocate the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan."

The reason, they explained, is that Sejong is not only the administrative capital of South Korea but also a symbol of balanced national development, and it is a central city that has been developed together by the Chungcheong region.

The Central Committee stated, "The relocation of central government ministries, including the MOF, to Sejong was the result of decades of joint efforts by the people and the Chungcheong community, and it is the cornerstone of balanced development for future generations." They continued, "The current attempt to reverse this by relocating the MOF to Busan is a betrayal of all Chungcheong people and a regression of South Korea's balanced development strategy." They also said, "Rather than the relocation of the MOF, which would cause inefficiency in state affairs and regional conflict, we want the government to implement strong policies for the economic development of Busan."

They requested: ▲ to provide explanations and alternatives that are convincing to both the public and the Chungcheong community regarding the MOF relocation, and to engage in sincere communication; ▲ to uphold the principle of pursuing policies based on cooperation and consensus between regions, rather than unilateral relocations that disrupt the lives of civil servants and residents; ▲ to immediately withdraw the plan to relocate the MOF to Busan and to respect the rightful status of Sejong as the administrative capital and the Chungcheong region.

The Central Committee emphasized, "Neither the Chungcheong Hometown Association nor the people of Chungcheong will ever back down," and added, "All 7.5 million Chungcheong natives living across the country will unite with the 5.6 million residents of Chungcheong to oppose this unjust policy."