Democratic Party's 'Ask and Double!'... Fundamental Real Estate Solution 'Administrative Capital Relocation'

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending the party strategy meeting held at the National Assembly on the 21st and delivering opening remarks. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Democratic Party of Korea has reignited the issue of relocating the administrative capital to focus on the core problem of real estate: the concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area. This move aims to revive the balanced development policy that was left incomplete during the Roh Moo-hyun administration, and discussions on additional relocations of public institutions are expected to accelerate. Regarding the administrative capital, they are considering either seeking a new ruling from the Constitutional Court or including the matter in a constitutional amendment proposal.

Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, stated at the party strategy meeting on the 21st, "The 2004 ruling by the Constitutional Court on the relocation of the administrative capital is not permanent," emphasizing, "It can be redefined according to the judgment of the times. There have been cases where laws previously deemed constitutional were changed."

He added, "I propose to the political circles and civil society the formation of a special committee to actively promote social discussions on completing the administrative capital." Regarding the United Future Party, he requested, "Please clarify whether you oppose the relocation of the administrative capital itself, or if you agree but find it difficult to consent due to the Constitutional Court's past ruling of unconstitutionality."

A bill for relocating the administrative capital is already being prepared. Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Du-kwan appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' on the same day and said, "There are talks about needing to amend the constitution to relocate the administrative capital, but it is also possible through legislation. Therefore, we are preparing a special law for the new administrative capital relocation in our office."

He continued, "The concept of a capital has changed a lot. For example, Seoul Special City could become an economic hub like New York, and Sejong Special Self-Governing City could serve as the administrative capital like Washington. Busan Metropolitan City could be a maritime capital. There is no strong reason for everything to be concentrated in Seoul."

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon also appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' on the same day, stating, "The Constitutional Court blocked the relocation of the administrative capital 16 years ago with the unprecedented logic that it violated customary constitutional law. Much time has passed since then. Therefore, it seems possible for the ruling and opposition parties to discuss and find a solution, such as reaching an agreement or creating a special law," adding, "There could also be a way to ask the Constitutional Court for its opinion again."

However, given the current situation in the National Assembly, the likelihood of the United Future Party supporting the relocation of the administrative capital appears low. The day before, Kim Jong-in, the United Future Party's emergency committee chairman, dismissed the idea, saying, "Isn't it impossible to overturn the Constitutional Court's ruling at this point?" As a result, many expect the issue to inevitably lead to discussions on constitutional amendments.

Regarding the possibility of constitutional amendment discussions, Lee said, "It will happen someday, but now is the time to focus on overcoming the national crisis." Kim said, "Without the opposition's consent, constitutional amendment is difficult, but the opposition must be persuaded to agree for the future of the Republic of Korea."

Meanwhile, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok, during a visit from Kim Kyung-soo, Governor of Gyeongsangnam-do, said, "It has been about 15 years since the first relocation of public institutions, so I think it is time to seriously consider the second relocation of public institutions."

Underlying this is the recognition that this is a structural solution to the deepening real estate problem. A Democratic Party lawmaker told Asia Economy in a phone interview, "There have been many discussions within the party recently regarding real estate issues, and there is a consensus that the accumulated concentration in the Seoul metropolitan area is the biggest and most fundamental factor," adding, "I think we need to talk a lot about balanced national development as a task of the times."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.