Hwang Unha Urges Government to Present Concrete Implementation Plan During Parliamentary Audit
There have been criticisms that, despite specifying the completion of Sejong as the administrative capital as a national policy task, the government lacks genuine commitment to the project by setting out the ambiguous condition of "social consensus." Calls have also been made for the government to present a concrete implementation plan.
Among the 123 national policy tasks confirmed at the State Council meeting held on September 16, the second task under the balanced growth category in the Lee Jaemyung administration is the completion of Sejong as the administrative capital. The task objective states that, after constructing the presidential office and the National Assembly in Sejong, a full relocation will be pursued following social consensus. However, some have pointed out that the ambiguous standard of social consensus raises doubts about the administration’s determination.
Hwang Unha, a member of the National Assembly’s Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, stated during the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport’s parliamentary audit on the 13th, "The meaning of social consensus, as referred to by the government, is itself unclear regarding the completion of Sejong as the administrative capital." He emphasized, "Clear and specific standards must be presented, such as collecting public opinion through a public deliberation committee, political consensus between ruling and opposition parties, or support at the level of a national referendum." He criticized the use of the abstract term "social consensus" as a shield to delay the completion of the administrative capital, arguing that this would be a betrayal of the promise made to the public.
He particularly questioned whether the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has an actionable plan to actually achieve social consensus and, if so, how much effort is being devoted to policy promotion to build public support.
According to Hwang Unha, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport has had no record of promotional activities related to the completion of the administrative capital since 2021, and for next year’s budget, only 500 million won has been allocated for related publicity. He pointed out that, if the ministry is truly committed to completing the administrative capital, it should be actively promoting the policy, but instead has taken a passive approach.
Currently, two special bills regarding the construction of the administrative capital are pending in the National Assembly: a special bill for the construction of the administrative capital sponsored by Hwang Unha, and a special measures bill for the establishment of the administrative capital proposed by Kang Junhyeon. Hwang Unha stated, "There is a very high possibility that these will pass during this year’s regular session," and emphasized, "If the special bill passes the National Assembly, that itself would serve as a procedure confirming the will of the legislature and reflecting national consensus. The passage of the bill can be interpreted as a practical expression of social consensus."
He further noted, "Unlike in 2004, when the Constitutional Court ruled it unconstitutional based on customary constitutional law, the concentration in the capital region has intensified even more now, weakening the grounds for an unconstitutional judgment." He added, "If the Constitutional Court rules in favor of constitutionality this time, that too will serve as important evidence of social consensus."
Kim Yoonduk, Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, said, "If necessary, I believe a party-government consultation should be held," and added, "The role of the ministry is to proceed with the project without delay for a full relocation, and we will participate through support and cooperation at the ministry level for the legislation to complete the administrative capital."
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
