Democratic Party Proposes Administrative Capital Relocation Special Committee... Preparing Bill to "Revisit Constitutional Court Ruling"

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is greeting Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, at the National Assembly plenary session hall on the 21st. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Democratic Party of Korea has officially proposed the formation of a special committee within the National Assembly to facilitate the relocation of the administrative capital. They are already preparing legislation for the move and plan to seek a new ruling from the Constitutional Court that reflects the changes of the times. Kim Du-gwan, a potential presidential candidate and Democratic Party lawmaker, is preparing to propose a special law for the administrative capital relocation.

On the 21st, Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, stated at the floor strategy meeting, "We propose the formation of a special committee to the political circles and civil society to actively promote social discussions on completing the administrative capital."

He added, "The 2004 ruling by the Constitutional Court on the administrative capital relocation is not immutable," emphasizing, "It can be redefined according to the judgment of the times. Laws that were previously deemed constitutional have also changed." Regarding the United Future Party, he demanded, "Please clarify whether you oppose the administrative capital relocation itself or if you agree but find it difficult to consent due to the Constitutional Court's past unconstitutional ruling."

The bill for relocating the administrative capital is being handled by Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Du-gwan. On the same day, he appeared on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show' and said, "There are talks that the constitution must be amended to relocate the administrative capital, but it is possible through legislation. Therefore, our office is preparing a special law for the new administrative capital relocation."

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

Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon also voiced support. On the same day, he appeared on MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus' and said, "The Constitutional Court blocked the administrative capital relocation 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 sufficiently discuss and find a solution, such as reaching an agreement or creating a special law." He added, "There may 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 administrative capital relocation appears low. The day before, Kim Jong-in, the United Future Party 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 discussion to inevitably lead to constitutional amendment talks.

Meanwhile, at a meeting with Kim Kyung-soo, governor of Gyeongnam Province, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seok 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."

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