Hwang Unha: "National Assembly Sejong Hall and President's Second Office Must Show Tangible Results"

Delays in Sejong Administrative Capital Projects Criticized
Calls for Accelerated Progress on National Assembly Sejong Hall and President's Second Office

Hwang Unha, Member of the National Assembly of the Party for Innovation of the Country.

During the National Assembly Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee's settlement review, Hwang Unha, a member of the National Assembly from the Party for Innovation of the Country, pointed out delays in the construction projects for the National Assembly Sejong Hall and the President's Second Office.

According to Hwang Unha's office, management services for the integrated design competition for the President's Second Office have been underway since June last year, and an operations committee was formed in August of the same year to push the project forward. In the second half of this year, an international competition for the integrated urban and architectural design of the National Symbolic Zone in the Multifunctional Administrative City is scheduled. The project aims to proceed with design from next year, break ground in 2028, and be completed by 2030.

The National Assembly Sejong Hall has undergone several steps since its initial budget allocation in 2018: the amendment of the National Assembly Act in 2021, the establishment of installation and operation rules in 2023, and the formation of a construction committee in 2024. In May this year, a KDI review and feasibility re-examination were initiated due to project cost adjustments. A design competition announcement is planned for the second half of the year, with the winning design to be selected in May next year.

Hwang Unha pointed out that the entire 82 billion won budget for the Sejong Hall was carried over last year, and that in 2022, only 2.5 billion won was executed, with most of the budget left unused. He argued that the failure to use the budget on time indicates a lack of commitment to the project, and therefore urged for more prompt progress.

In response, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yoonduk stated, "The National Assembly is the main body responsible for the project, and so far, discussions have been between the National Assembly and the Ministry of Economy and Finance. Going forward, as the role of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport increases, we will participate at this stage and strive to accelerate the project."

Regarding questions about future progress and the possibility of completion by 2030, Minister Kim added, "We are currently arranging a meeting with the Speaker of the National Assembly and will work towards smooth cooperation. Although it typically takes 55 months from design to completion, there is room for shortening the timeline with well-coordinated efforts, so we will carefully review the specifics."

Hwang Unha emphasized, "Completing the administrative capital is a key task for balanced national development. The Sejong Hall and the Second Office are both promises made to the people and demands of the times, so we must not delay further and need to show tangible results."