Handonghun "National Assembly to Fully Relocate to Sejong... Seoul as a Global Financial Hub"

Lifting Height Restrictions Around National Assembly Building
Development Also Planned for Mapo, Yeongdeungpo, Dongjak, Yangcheon
"Ending Yeouido's Political Culture with Sejong Relocation"

One day before the official start of the April 10 general election campaign (on the 28th), Han Dong-hoon, the Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, made a decisive move. On the 27th, Chairman Han stated, "We will end Yeouido politics by completely relocating the National Assembly to Sejong City, and actively promote development in Seoul by lifting development restrictions in Yeouido and its surrounding areas." This plan envisions moving not only the National Assembly but also the Speaker's office and the main plenary hall to Sejong, pursuing a "complete relocation of the National Assembly." The plan is to make Sejong the political capital and Seoul the center of finance and culture. Chairman Han said, "We will return the National Assembly building to the citizens as a new landmark of Seoul."

Handonghun, the Chief Election Strategy Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is holding a press conference on current issues at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

Chairman Han pointed out, "Under the current plan, members of the National Assembly must travel to Seoul for plenary votes, making cooperation difficult. Ministers, vice ministers, and public officials also have to frequently commute between Seoul and Sejong, increasing legislative and administrative inefficiencies." Previously, in October last year, the National Assembly approved the promotion of the 'Sejong Assembly Hall,' relocating some facilities to Sejong City. Among the 17 standing committees, 12?including the Budget and Accounts Committee?along with members' offices and related facilities such as the Members' Hall, the Office of Budget and Policy, and the Legislative Research Office will be moved. Furthermore, the plan is to relocate the Speaker's office and the plenary hall as well, completely vacating Yeouido.

This aims to make Sejong City similar to Washington D.C., the capital of the United States. He explained, "A complete relocation of the National Assembly to Sejong can achieve three goals: resolving administrative inefficiencies, promoting balanced national development, and revitalizing the regional economy."

Instead, Seoul will be developed into a mega city centered on finance and culture. Chairman Han stated, "In consultation with Seoul City, we will transform the National Assembly building in Yeouido and its site into a new landmark of Seoul," emphasizing, "The National Assembly building will retain its original form with historical symbolism and be transformed into a world-class exhibition hall like the Orsay Museum in France or the Tate Modern in the UK."

Handonghun, the General Election Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is attending a press conference on current issues held at the central party office in Yeouido, Seoul, on the 27th. Photo by Kim Hyunmin kimhyun81@

Chairman Han said, "Seoyeouido, where the National Assembly is located, has been subject to a 75-meter height restriction for nearly half a century due to opposition from the Assembly and concerns about damaging the landscape." He added, "By moving the National Assembly to Sejong and lifting these authoritarian regulations, we will redevelop not only Yeouido but also adjacent areas such as Mapo, Yeongdeungpo, Dongjak, Yangcheon, and Yongsan by boldly removing unnecessary restrictions." The height restriction around the National Assembly building limits buildings to 41 meters or 51 meters, a regulation established in 1975 at the request of the Assembly when the building was constructed. The dome of the National Assembly is 60 meters high, and the restriction was intended to prevent other buildings from overlooking the Assembly for security reasons. Chairman Han said, "The property rights of Seoul citizens have been restricted," and added that by lifting the height restrictions, Seoul will become a global financial hub competing with London, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

In response to criticism that this is a repeated campaign promise, Chairman Han said, "Unlike in the past, some relocations have already been confirmed. The question is whether this will end with a vague arrangement where offices exist in both places, or whether we will complete Sejong as the political and administrative capital, rebirth Seoul as a financial and cultural center, and signal the promotion of surrounding development. This is a matter of decision." He added, "The People Power Party intends to make an important decision ahead of an important election and seek the people's choice."

Through this pledge, Chairman Han claimed he would end the "Yeouido political culture." He criticized, "The previously decided partial relocation plan benefits lawmakers but causes legislative and administrative inefficiencies and prevents the vast Yeouido National Assembly site from being properly utilized." He continued, "We will think from the people's perspective and act in their interest," adding, "In that context, I mentioned the complete relocation of the National Assembly to Sejong City." Previously, the People Power Party proposed political reform measures including ▲waiving parliamentary immunity from arrest ▲returning salaries if sentenced to imprisonment or higher ▲not nominating candidates in by-elections caused by party fault ▲reducing the number of lawmakers ▲prohibiting political fund acceptance through book launches ▲lowering lawmakers' salaries to the median income level ▲and banning proportional representation succession if convicted.

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