Woo Won-sik to Lead Ruling Party's Administrative Capital Completion TF... Kim Tae-nyeon Says "Not for Turning the Tide"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy reporters Wondara and Jeon Jinyoung] Woo Won-sik, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, has decided to take charge as the head of the party's Administrative Capital Completion Promotion Task Force (TF). Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, emphasized that regarding criticisms that this move is a shift in the real estate issue, "While there may be a stabilizing effect on housing prices as a result of completing the administrative capital, this was not proposed as a short-term measure."

On the morning of the 23rd at a floor strategy meeting held at the National Assembly, Kim Tae-nyeon said, "We will form and operate the Administrative Capital TF with former floor leader Woo Won-sik as the head," adding, "The Democratic Party will definitely complete the administrative capital based on bipartisan agreement. The year 2020 must be the inaugural year for completing the administrative capital."

Kim emphasized, "It is very regrettable that this is disparaged as a shift in the real estate situation. The completion of the administrative capital has been a consistent national policy philosophy of the Democratic Party since 2004 and my personal conviction," and added, "Overconcentration in the metropolitan area is the root cause of the decline in national competitiveness." He continued, "In the past year, 90,000 people aged 20-30 have moved from other regions to the metropolitan area, while young people are leaving non-metropolitan areas regardless of region," and said, "There is even a research report suggesting that 105 out of 228 cities, counties, and districts nationwide may disappear if this continues." He also stated, "While the completion of the administrative capital may have a positive effect on stabilizing housing prices in the metropolitan area as a result, this proposal was not made with the idea that the administrative capital initiative would solve real estate problems in the short term."

Regarding the 2004 Constitutional Court ruling that the relocation of the administrative capital was unconstitutional, he said, "If the national consensus, one of the conditions for the continuation of customary constitutional law, disappears, the legal effect of that ruling as customary constitutional law also disappears," adding, "There are ways such as a national referendum, constitutional amendment, or bipartisan agreement in the National Assembly representing the people."

He continued, "If bipartisan agreement is reached and the National Assembly makes a decision, the completion of the administrative capital can proceed in the most efficient and fastest way," and said, "I understand that the United Future Party does not oppose the completion of the administrative capital itself. I again urge the opposition party to form and participate in the National Assembly's special committee for completing the administrative capital."

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