[Exclusive] Democratic Party to Decide Administrative Capital Relocation Agency This Month Through Poll... Public Institutions 'Season 2' Also

'Cheongwadae, All Ministries, and National Assembly' Blueprint Shows Retreat... Some Ministries, Committees, and National Assembly Likely to Be Targeted

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Park Cheol-eung] The Democratic Party of Korea has decided to conduct a public opinion poll within this month to determine the target for relocation as the new administrative capital. This move comes after the Special Committee on Balanced Development (Special Committee) proposed to the People Power Party effectively fell through, prompting the party to seek the will of the people. Initially, the Democratic Party presented a blueprint to relocate the Blue House, all government ministries, and the National Assembly together, but now it is highly likely to be limited to the National Assembly, some government ministries, and committees. Plans to relocate public institutions located in the metropolitan area, including the Korea Development Bank, to local areas are also expected to be proposed.

Woo Won-sik, a member of the Democratic Party and head of the 'National Balanced Development and Completion of the Administrative Capital Task Force (TF),' said in a phone interview with Asia Economy on the 6th, "The TF activities are in the final stages," adding, "We will soon conduct a public opinion poll to determine the scope of relocation that aligns with the will of the people."

He continued, "Since the People Power Party has not responded to the proposal for the Balanced Development Special Committee, it has become impossible to proceed," and said, "(Measures such as a national referendum or special legislation for completing the administrative capital) were based on the premise of forming the special committee. Balanced development is a matter of survival, not a choice, and viewing it solely as a political strategy is a grave mistake."

The discussion on the administrative capital was triggered by the floor speech of Kim Tae-nyeon, the Democratic Party floor leader, in the National Assembly in July. He argued that "the entire National Assembly" and "the Blue House and government ministries should all be relocated." However, since the special committee for this discussion was not formed, the scope of relocation is inevitably being reduced. The unexpected Seoul mayoral by-election also inevitably affects this. Woo said, "We will decide internally how to structure the public opinion poll."

The Special Act on the Administrative City excludes the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Unification, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of National Defense, and Ministry of Gender Equality and Family from the relocation target institutions. Relocating foreign affairs and security ministries is realistically difficult. On the 3rd, Democratic Party lawmaker Cho Seung-rae proposed a bill to change the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to be included among the relocation target institutions. In addition, various government committees may be discussed as relocation targets. Currently, the Government Complex Seoul houses the National Balanced Development Committee, Personal Information Protection Commission, National Education Council, Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission, Financial Services Commission, Northern Economic Cooperation Committee, Local Autonomy Committee, and Low Birthrate and Aging Society Committee.

The National Assembly is a strong candidate. The Democratic Party operates the 'Special Committee for Promoting the Sejong National Assembly Branch,' and some budget has already been allocated for the establishment of the Sejong National Assembly branch in the form of a sub-office. Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun also stated on the 4th in response to a question from the National Assembly Budget and Accounts Committee, "I believe it is right to start the administrative capital with the National Assembly branch and gradually complete it."

Additional relocation of public institutions to local areas is also expected to come to the forefront. Lee Hae-sik, a Democratic Party lawmaker and secretary of the administrative capital TF, said, "As 'Season 2' of public institution relocation, financial institutions remaining in the metropolitan area could also be targets," adding, "The Democratic Party will present an overall plan through public opinion polls and then concretize it through consultations with the government."

The administrative capital TF has been conducting nationwide regional tour discussions and will prepare a report this month containing the results of its activities so far and future balanced development plans. Woo Won-sik said, "The report will include national balanced development strategies not only for Seoul and Sejong but also strategies to shift from a Seoul-centered unipolar system to a multipolar system," adding, "It will also present a concrete vision for Seoul, including how to fill the existing spaces of institutions moving to local areas."

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