Will Moving the Administrative Capital Solve Real Estate Issues? What Are Your Thoughts?

Kim Tae-nyeon "Administrative Capital Relocation Needed to Ease Real Estate Issues"
Lee Nak-yeon "Unconstitutional Ruling Exists but Times Have Changed"
Joo Ho-young "Topic Raised to Distract Attention"
Blue House and National Assembly Relocation to Sejong City "Support" 53.9% - "Oppose" 34.3%

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Seunggon Han and intern Seulgi Kim] Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, proposed the formation of a 'Special Committee for the Completion of the Administrative Capital' to fully relocate the Blue House, the National Assembly, and government ministries to Sejong City. The opposition parties criticized the proposal as a diversion tactic to shift public attention away from unresolved real estate issues, and a contentious debate is expected.

At the floor leaders' meeting held on the morning of the 21st, Floor Leader Kim said, "To promote social discussions on the completion of the administrative capital, I formally propose to the political circles and civil society the formation of a Special Committee for the Completion of the Administrative Capital in the National Assembly." He added, "I look forward to a prompt and sincere response from the United Future Party regarding this proposal."

The 'administrative capital relocation' advocated by Floor Leader Kim was also discussed during the Roh Moo-hyun administration. However, it was settled when the Constitutional Court ruled the Special Act on the Construction of the New Administrative Capital unconstitutional in 2004. The court judged, "The fact that Seoul is the capital is an unwritten constitutional custom. Relocating the capital requires a constitutional amendment."

However, there is a view that the Constitutional Court might hold a different opinion now. On the same day, Democratic Party lawmaker Lee Nak-yeon said in an interview with MBC Radio's 'Kim Jong-bae's Focus,' "There could be ways for the ruling and opposition parties to reach an agreement or to ask the Constitutional Court for its opinion again." He added, "The Constitutional Court blocked the administrative capital relocation with the unprecedented logic that it violated the customary constitution back in 2004, 16 years ago. However, times have changed significantly, and even then, there were various counterarguments and issues raised."

Joo Ho-young, Floor Leader of the United Future Party Photo by Yonhap News

The opposition voiced their opposition to the 'administrative capital relocation' debate reignited after 16 years. Joo Ho-young, floor leader of the United Future Party, said, "I believe this topic was brought up to divert attention because housing prices in the metropolitan area are rising." He added, "If it is a plan to further develop Sejong City itself within the scope allowed by law rather than relocating the administrative capital, we are open to discussion."

Former lawmaker Lee Jae-oh also expressed opposition in an interview with CBS Radio's 'Current Affairs Jockey Jung Kwan-yong,' saying, "Is there any country in the world that moves its capital because housing prices rise? This is an absurd method." He raised concerns, "If the Blue House and the National Assembly move to Sejong City, that means relocating the capital. What if housing prices in Sejong City rise after a few years? Will they move somewhere else again?"

The Justice Party takes a cautious stance. Justice Party leader Shim Sang-jung said at a party meeting held at the National Assembly on the same day, "I hope this is not a card for political diversion or election purposes to escape the failure of real estate policies." She urged, "If the government and ruling party have a clear will, they should responsibly announce a concrete plan instead of vaguely raising the issue and stimulating speculative sentiment."

Government Complex Sejong City panorama [Provided by Sejong City]

Leader Shim emphasized, "To move beyond an administrative-centered complex city to an administrative capital, a constitutional amendment or equivalent national consensus is essential. Therefore, for this (administrative capital) proposal to have sincerity, the order should be to responsibly disclose a roadmap for the administrative capital relocation, including how to persuade the public through procedures such as constitutional amendment."

Experts foresee that the discussion on relocating the administrative capital will have positive effects not only on stabilizing housing prices but also on balanced national development.

Political commentator Lee Jong-hoon said in an interview with KBS Radio's 'Oh Tae-hoon's Current Affairs Headquarters,' "I think relocating the administrative capital is desirable. The sooner, the better." He explained, "What necessity is there for administrative agencies to be in Seoul, especially in relation to real estate issues?" He continued, "If the administrative capital is completed, I think it will actually solve many problems related to the current rise in housing prices in Seoul."

Meanwhile, a public opinion poll showed that more than half of the public supports the plan to relocate all party, government, and Blue House ministries to Sejong City.

According to a survey conducted on the 21st by polling firm Realmeter targeting 500 adult men and women nationwide, 53.9% of respondents supported the administrative capital relocation.

Opposition to the relocation was 34.3%, while 11.8% answered that they did not know. The regions with the highest support rates were Gwangju and Jeolla (68.8%) and Daejeon, Sejong, and Chungcheong (66.1%).

On the other hand, Seoul, where the institutions currently reside, showed a support rate of 42.5%, lower than the opposition at 45.1%. This survey was conducted at the request of OhmyNews. The sampling error is ±4.4 percentage points at a 95% confidence level.

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