Han Dong-hoon, the interim leader of the ruling People Power Party, announced plans on Wednesday to relocate the National Assembly to Sejong City, just two weeks before the parliamentary elections.

While Han presented his proposal as a means to promote balanced national development and eradicate “Yeouido’s political culture,” the move, if implemented, also carries significant risks, such as potential legal challenges, logistical difficulties and concerns about the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.

Moving South Korea’s parliament is not a new idea. Kim Dae-jung suggested a “Daejeon Administrative Second Capital” in 1971, Park Chung-hee initiated plans for a temporary administrative capital in 1977, and Roh Moo-hyun significantly advanced the idea of an administrative capital in Sejong City in 2003.

Roh even sought to make Sejong City, about 90 minutes south of Seoul, the new national capital. But he was stymied by legal and political pushback, and the Constitutional Court ultimately deemed the move unconstitutional in 2004. Han Dong-hoon’s proposal to move the National Assembly is the latest chapter in the “move-out-of-Seoul” campaign.

HAN DONG-HOON’S ADVOCACY

The timing of the proposal, just two weeks ahead of the general elections on April 10, has led to speculation about the political motivations behind the move and its potential impact on voter sentiment.

President Yoon Suk-yeol supported the relocation plan, with a presidential spokesperson stating that Yoon had pledged to open a National Assembly Sejong Building during his campaign.

The spokesperson further emphasized Yoon’s belief that “parliamentary democracy can be realized and administrative efficiency can be achieved when the legislature and administrative departments are in close proximity.”

Yoon’s overt support for Han’s pledge also raises suspicions that it may be an election ploy to rally support from voters in the area who might benefit most from the policy — particularly in and around Sejong City in the Chungcheong region. 

Others in the PPP have expressed optimism about the plan and that it might help lift their fortunes at the ballot box.

Moving the National Assembly away from Yeoiudo, a prime real estate location in the middle of Seoul, would lessen development restrictions around the area and thus may appeal to voters grappling with an expensive and competitive housing market. 

Yeoiudo skyline, Nov. 11, 2019 | Image: Willem van Valkenburg via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0 DEED)

BALANCED NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Han and others who support the National Assembly relocation argue that the move could help resolve administrative inefficiencies that have plagued the government since the establishment of Sejong City as an administrative center.

With several ministries and agencies already there, supporters believe that moving the legislature to the same location would streamline decision-making processes and improve coordination between the executive and legislative branches.

They also tout the relocation plan as a means to promote balanced national development. By moving the National Assembly away from Seoul, the plan aims to decentralize political power and encourage investment in other regions of the country. This, in turn, could help address regional disparities and foster more equitable economic growth.

Sejong City, which has been purposefully developed as an administrative hub, stands to benefit significantly from the relocation of the National Assembly. The influx of lawmakers, their staff, families and associated businesses could provide a substantial boost to the local economy, creating jobs and spurring further development in the area.

RISKS AND CHALLENGES

Despite the potential benefits, the potential move faces significant practical risks and challenges. 

In its 2004 decision, the Constitutional Court ruled that relocating the capital away from Seoul required a national referendum or a constitutional amendment. While the current proposal focuses on moving the National Assembly rather than the entire capital, it remains unclear whether this would be sufficient to avoid legal challenges.

The court also argued that Seoul’s status as the capital is deeply ingrained in the nation’s history and political identity, with the city serving as the seat of power for centuries. 

Relocating a major center of political power — the entire parliament — 90 minutes away may face the same constitutional challenges. 

There are also major logistical challenges associated with finding a suitable building for South Korea’s 300 National Assembly lawmakers, as well as space for their staff, ancillary offices and more.

The process would likely be time-consuming and expensive, potentially disrupting the work of the National Assembly for an extended period. Additionally, lawmakers — many of whom are based in Seoul and the surrounding areas — may be less able to effectively represent their constituents during and after relocation.

Seoul’s urban development and real estate market would also look different. On one hand, Han’s pledge to lift development restrictions in and around Yeouido could pave the way for a construction boom, attracting investment and creating new opportunities for growth.

However, the departure of the National Assembly may also create a power vacuum in Seoul, as the city’s political and economic influence is closely tied to its status as the seat of government. The absence of lawmakers and their staff could lead to a shift in the city’s economic dynamics, potentially affecting businesses and industries that rely on their presence.

Moreover, the promise of new development opportunities could have unintended consequences for Seoul’s housing market.

The city is already grappling with issues of housing affordability and gentrification, with many residents struggling to find adequate and affordable homes. If the lifting of development restrictions leads to a surge in high-end or luxury construction projects, it could exacerbate these challenges, driving up prices and displacing lower-income residents.

This could further complicate Seoul’s efforts to address its housing crisis and ensure equitable access to housing for all its residents.

People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon (center) campaigns in Incheon, March 27, 2024 | Image: People Power Party

CAMPAIGN PLEDGES

Even if the ruling party secures a victory in the upcoming elections, it is uncertain whether Han will be able to garner sufficient support from lawmakers, including those within his own party, to push forward with the relocation plan.

The logistical, legal and economic challenges associated with moving the National Assembly are significant, and lawmakers may be hesitant to support such a complex and potentially controversial initiative without a clear mandate from the public and a thorough assessment of its long-term implications.

Ultimately, the relocation of the National Assembly is a decision that will have far-reaching and long-lasting consequences for South Korea, and the decision to do so will not likely be based on the whims of the ruling party’s interim leader.

Edited by Arius Derr