[2022 National Audit] Kang Seok-hoon, KDB Chairman, "Will Visit National Assembly to Persuade on Busan Relocation"

Kang Seok-hoon, Chairman of the Korea Development Bank, is taking the oath as a witness at the National Assembly's audit on the Korea Development Bank held on the 20th. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo doso7@

[Asia Economy Reporters Song Hwajeong and Yoo Jehun] Kang Seok-hoon, Chairman of the Korea Development Bank (KDB), stated that he will visit the National Assembly to persuade lawmakers regarding the issue of relocating the bank's headquarters to Busan.

On the 20th, during the National Assembly's Political Affairs Committee audit, Kang responded to the Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Han-gyu's remark that "since the relocation of KDB requires a legal amendment, it is necessary to follow proper procedures."

Lawmaker Kim pointed out, "Employees are saying that the relocation is being rushed, bypassing the National Assembly," adding, "Since the KDB Act must be amended to relocate the headquarters, it is necessary to persuade the National Assembly on why the relocation is needed, why Busan is chosen, whether there will be any operational losses, and if there will be any impact on policy finance."

Kang replied, "We waited 100 days after my inauguration and could no longer wait, so we started the process," adding, "The government's position is to have KDB take on a new role through the relocation. Whether the National Assembly agrees or not is their role, and KDB's role is to prepare to carry out the plan according to government guidelines." He continued, "We are persuading the National Assembly mainly through the Deputy Governor, and when the time is right, I will personally visit to explain."

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Jae-ho said, "If the government has decided on the relocation of public institutions on a large scale, shouldn't it bring the matter to the National Assembly for discussion?" He added, "Please stop giving false hope and present a national-level roadmap." In response, Kang said, "Discussions at the National Assembly's Balanced Development Special Committee will take time," and added, "Before that, we plan to deploy some personnel to strengthen the sales organization in the Busan, Ulsan, and Gyeongnam regions."

Democratic Party lawmaker Park Sung-jun pointed out, "Regarding the Busan relocation, I have heard reports that it is being pushed unilaterally," adding, "To proceed with the Busan relocation, approval from the Financial Services Commission is required, but the procedural process is not being followed." Kang responded, "We have consulted with the Financial Services Commission about the relocation plan," and added, "The procedures have not yet started; we are currently preparing."

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