The United Future Party Leadership Draws the Line... Internal Party Faction Proposes Counteroffer for "Relocation Across Entire Chungcheong Region"

Joo Ho-young Floor Leader Tried to 'Keep Quiet' to Bury Ruling Party's Failures
But Rep. Jeong Jin-seok and Former Mayor Oh Se-hoon Offered Additional Opinions
"Let's Expand Previous Areas and Targets" Counterproposal to Ruling Party

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyemin] While the leadership of the United Future Party has drawn a line against the ruling party's proposal to relocate the administrative capital, a variety of competing opinions are pouring out within the party. Despite floor leader Joo Ho-young's order to "refrain from expressing opinions for the time being," counterproposals have even emerged suggesting expanding the relocation beyond Sejong to the entire Chungcheong region.

Rep. Jung Jin-seok, whose constituency includes Gongju, Buyeo, and Cheongyang in Chungnam, said on his Facebook on the 24th, "To alleviate the overpopulation in the metropolitan area and achieve balanced regional development through relocating the administrative capital, there is no need to insist solely on the current Sejong City," adding, "We should also consider expanding the effects of decentralization to a wider neighboring area."

Rep. Jung was the first within the party to respond positively to the ruling party's push for relocating the administrative capital following the negotiation group leader speech by Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea. In a phone interview with the media, he said, "I have doubts about the sincerity," but also stated, "I agree with the direction of completing the administrative capital. The relocation of the National Assembly to Sejong City can be done through legal amendments without constitutional revision."

Former Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon also proposed on his Facebook the same day, "Everyone knows that the intention behind raising the issue of relocating the administrative capital amid the real estate frenzy is to turn the crisis around," but added, "If we are going to discuss it, let's do it properly this time," suggesting that the opposition party join the ruling party's public discussion on relocating the administrative capital. Oh proposed expanding the discussion beyond Sejong to revitalize the entire Chungcheong region. While his view aligns with Rep. Jung's, he offered a more concrete alternative. Oh said, "Washington houses the legislative, executive, and judicial branches all together. We should move not only the legislative and executive branches but also the judiciary."

He suggested, "For example, let's consider relocating the Blue House to Nonsan, Cheonan, or Cheongju, which has an international airport; the National Assembly to Boeun, Okcheon, or Yeongdong in North Chungcheong; the Supreme Court to Yesan or Buyeo; and the Constitutional Court to Hongseong or Gongju," warning, "If we relocate the Blue House and National Assembly to Sejong City, Sejong will become another predator, and neighboring localities will face collapse and extinction."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

Earlier, Floor Leader Joo had urged, "Please do not rashly engage in the debate," attempting to silence the discussion. On the same day, he clearly stated on CBS radio, "The Democratic Party threw out an irrelevant issue to escape a tight spot," indicating that the party would not expand the discussion at the party level. Joo's request for party members to refrain from expressing opinions appears to stem from concerns that the public debate over relocating the administrative capital might overshadow other failures of the Democratic Party.

Nevertheless, the fact that influential figures within the party are consecutively making statements supporting the ruling party's public discussion seems to reflect a judgment that since the discussion is already underway, it is better to actively propose alternatives and lead the agenda. This also shows caution against creating the misunderstanding that the United Future Party opposes the relocation of the administrative capital itself. Additionally, it is interpreted that Rep. Jung is conscious of the Chungcheong region's voter sentiment, while former Mayor Oh is aware of his presence as a presidential candidate.

Opinions within the party are divided on whether to actively engage in the discussion, but the method to implement the relocation of the administrative capital appears to be through a national referendum. Floor Leader Joo said, "If there is a plan to relocate the administrative capital, either a constitutional amendment must be made, or it must be put to a national referendum," adding, "Can it be done without national consent? A national referendum is an essential step." Former Mayor Oh also argued for creating a plan that expands the target and area of relocation and putting its adoption to a national referendum.

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