'Administrative Capital Relocation' That Became a Typhoon

Ruling Party's Strong Push for Administrative Capital Sparks Issue Black Hole... United Future Party Leadership Criticizes Ruling Party, Watches Chungcheong Region Public Sentiment Trends

[Asia Economy Reporter Ryu Jeong-min] As the issue of relocating the administrative capital has emerged as an 'issue black hole' in the latter half of President Moon Jae-in's administration, the Democratic Party of Korea has launched an aggressive drive emphasizing a 'speed race.'

Kim Tae-nyeon, the floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, stated at the policy coordination meeting on the 23rd, "Since the completion of the administrative capital has become a public issue, we will see it through to the end," adding, "We will form and operate a task force (TF) for the completion of the administrative capital, led by Representative Woo Won-sik within the floor."

Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is delivering a speech as the representative of the negotiating group at the National Assembly plenary session on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

Floor Leader Kim expressed his intention to re-push the relocation of the administrative capital through bipartisan agreement, pressuring the opposition party to participate in the special committee on the administrative capital relocation. Key politicians from the ruling party also provided support. On the same day, Representative Lee Nak-yeon of the Democratic Party said in an interview with tbs radio's 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory,' "If we can reach a conclusion (on the administrative capital) while I am the leader, that would be ideal."

The United Future Party is focusing on the political impact the administrative capital issue may have on the Chungcheong public sentiment, while also struggling to devise a solution to avoid ceding control of the political situation to the ruling party. However, even within the party leadership, confusion is arising, creating a 'dilemma.'

Kim Jong-in, the emergency committee chairman of the United Future Party, pointed out at a meeting that "As the president's approval rating plummets, the proposal finally put forward is to move the capital to Sejong City," adding, "One cannot help but doubt whether this can be presented as a normal government policy." He has been raising his voice in opposition to the ruling party's administrative capital relocation proposal day after day.

Floor Leader Joo Ho-young said in a radio interview on the same day, "The party's position is that the administrative capital relocation cannot proceed unless constitutional issues are resolved," while leaving room for discussion by adding, "There could be constitutional amendments, and there could be a national referendum. We need to have many discussions about the procedures."

He also mentioned plans to go through a process to establish the party's official stance. However, as Chairman Kim raised opposition voices, the meeting criticized, "It seems the administrative capital relocation was brought up to divert public attention. There is no sincerity, and constitutional issues have not been resolved." With a positive trend toward the administrative capital relocation among lawmakers from the Chungcheong region, the controversy is expected to continue.

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