청 "KBS, Korea Development Bank, IBK Industrial Bank Did Not Consider Regional Relocation" (Comprehensive)

"KBS had no report about moving to provinces"... Kim Sa-yeol, Chairman of the National Balanced Development Committee, dismisses Seoul National University relocation rumor

[Asia Economy reporters Ryu Jeong-min and Jeon Jin-young] The Blue House stated that it has not considered relocating KBS, the Korea Development Bank, and IBK Industrial Bank to provincial areas.

A senior Blue House official dismissed speculation that Kim Sa-yeol, Chairman of the National Balanced Development Committee, reported on the relocation of KBS and policy banks at the Blue House senior secretaries and aides meeting on the 20th.

The senior official said, "There was no report at all about moving KBS and others to the provinces." On that day, Chairman Kim briefly reported on the relocation of public institutions while explaining balanced regional development plans to President Moon Jae-in, but there was no report regarding the relocation of KBS, the Korea Development Bank, or IBK Industrial Bank to provincial areas.

Photo by Mun Ho-nam munonam@

The Democratic Party of Korea also drew a line on the issue of relocating KBS to the provinces. Park Sung-jun, the party's floor spokesperson, told reporters, "There was an article saying that plans to relocate Seoul National University and KBS are under consideration, but the party has not reviewed such plans." The relocation of public institutions to provincial areas is still ongoing. Chairman Kim plans to prepare a balanced regional development review plan based on various opinions and report it additionally to President Moon.

Meanwhile, at the 'Review of Balanced Development Policy Implementation and Task Identification of the Moon Jae-in Administration' forum held at the National Assembly Members' Office Building that morning, Chairman Kim showed a cautious attitude toward contentious issues.

During the Q&A session at the forum, Chairman Kim said, "(Private universities) are universities where compulsory measures like those for public institutions cannot be imposed," adding, "Seoul National University and Incheon National University are incorporated, so the state cannot enforce relocation." This explained that relocating Seoul National University to the provinces is practically difficult.

After the event, Chairman Kim told reporters, "I cannot speak definitively about the (KBS relocation issue)," and added, "Please wait until the Blue House coordinates and the details are released regarding balanced regional development."

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