Legal Basis Established for Relocating Constitutional Institutions Including the National Assembly and Office of the President
Full-Scale Discussions Resume on Administrative Capital After 20 Years of Stalemate
Kim Taenyeon: "A Vision to Prepare for Korea's Next 100 Years"
A bill that would formalize the relocation of major constitutional institutions, including the National Assembly and the Office of the President, to Sejong City has been proposed by the Democratic Party of Korea. This move significantly increases the likelihood that discussions about establishing an administrative capital, which have remained unresolved for the past 20 years, will be reignited in earnest.
On November 11, Assemblyman Kim Taenyeon, who serves as the chair of the Democratic Party’s Special Committee on National Balanced Development, sponsored the "Special Act for the Completion of the Administrative Capital." The bill clearly establishes the legal basis for relocating major constitutional institutions such as the National Assembly and the Office of the President, and institutionalizes the government organization and financial support system necessary for completing the administrative capital.
Although discussions on the administrative capital have arisen before, they ended in failure. In 2004, the Constitutional Court ruled the "Special Act on the Construction of a New Administrative Capital" unconstitutional, citing customary constitutional law. Subsequently, the "Special Act on the Construction of Multifunctional Administrative City" was enacted in 2005, leading to the development of Sejong City. However, even after about 20 years, key institutions like the National Assembly and the Office of the President remain in Seoul, resulting in continued criticism of administrative inefficiency.
This special act designates Sejong Special Self-Governing City as the administrative capital and provides the legal basis for the relocation of constitutional institutions such as the National Assembly and the Office of the President. It also includes the establishment of the "Administrative Capital Completion Committee" under the President, the creation of the "Administrative Capital Construction Agency" under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, and the establishment of a special account to ensure a stable financial foundation.
In addition, the bill guarantees democratic procedures such as consultations with relevant local governments and the collection of public opinion, and establishes a systematic support system for the development of designated and surrounding areas.
Assemblyman Kim stated, "It has been about 20 years since the construction of Sejong City began, but only half of the administrative functions have moved, leaving us with an incomplete capital," adding, "The Administrative Capital Completion Act will serve as a national vision to prepare for Korea’s next 100 years."
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