{"id":2202731,"date":"2023-11-13T17:00:14","date_gmt":"2023-11-13T08:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2202731"},"modified":"2023-11-14T17:02:13","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T08:02:13","slug":"how-gimpos-potential-merger-with-seoul-raises-political-stakes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/11\/how-gimpos-potential-merger-with-seoul-raises-political-stakes\/","title":{"rendered":"How Gimpo\u2019s potential merger with Seoul raises political stakes"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Korea\u2019s ruling People Power Party (PPP) is advocating for the incorporation of Gimpo City into Seoul \u2014 a move that could increase Seoul\u2019s total area by 45%. If realized, it could have nationwide repercussions reshaping the country\u2019s political and economic map. This initiative, emerging amid political maneuvering ahead of upcoming general elections, has sparked widespread debate and mixed public sentiment.<\/span><\/p>\n

Situated in northwestern Gyeonggi Province, Gimpo City, with its 107 square miles, has seen rapid population growth \u2014 from 238,000 in 2010 to over 510,000 at the beginning of 2023. This expansion is not without challenges, as nearly 85% of Gimpo\u2019s residents commute to Seoul, contributing to significant <\/span>traffic and public transit issues<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

In a <\/span>statement<\/span><\/a> on Oct. 30, PPP leader Kim Gi-hyeon expressed his support for the proposal, contingent on positive public feedback. The party committed to this idea by forming a <\/span>special committee<\/span><\/a> dedicated to gathering expert opinions and monitoring public sentiment. Additionally, the PPP plans to introduce <\/span>legislation<\/span><\/a> specifically for Gimpo\u2019s incorporation.<\/span><\/p>\n

Typically, changes to administrative districts begin either at the municipality level or with the central government before reaching the National Assembly for approval. The PPP\u2019s direct involvement in proposing Gimpo\u2019s incorporation marks a departure from usual administrative processes, highlighting the political significance of this move in the current landscape.<\/span><\/p>\n

GEOGRAPHIC AND POLITICAL QUANDARY<\/b><\/p>\n

Against the backdrop of the PPP\u2019s proposal to incorporate Gimpo City into Seoul, a key question emerges: why would a city within Gyeonggi Province, South Korea\u2019s most populous, be considered for merger with the capital? This question takes root in the long-standing complexities of regional governance and urban expansion in South Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

Historically, Seoul\u2019s rapid growth and urban sprawl have often led to administrative and infrastructural challenges, prompting discussions about expanding the capital\u2019s boundaries for more effective management and development. Gimpo City, with its close proximity to Seoul and significant commuter traffic to the capital, emerges as a logical candidate in these discussions.<\/span><\/p>\n

The proposed incorporation aims to streamline governance and infrastructure development, potentially easing the burden on both Gimpo and Seoul.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, this proposal is not isolated from broader debates on regional restructuring. The concept of reorganizing Gyeonggi Province, including the potential partition and creation of a special self-governing province, has been a <\/span>topic of political discourse<\/span><\/a> since the 1980s.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The latest push in this direction comes from Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon who has <\/span>advocated<\/span><\/a> for the formation of a North Gyeonggi Special Self-Governing Province. This initiative seeks to decentralize control from the central government, allowing northern areas of Gyeonggi, including Gimpo, greater autonomy to manage local affairs, establish free economic zones, and utilize <\/span>lands returned<\/span><\/a> by U.S. Forces Korea.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the incorporation of Gimpo into Seoul poses unique challenges due to the former\u2019s geographic positioning. Separated by the Han River, Gimpo shares most of its border with Incheon and a smaller part with Seoul\u2019s Gangseo district, where the PPP <\/span>suffered<\/span><\/a> a crushing by-election defeat last month.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

UNANSWERED QUESTIONS<\/b><\/p>\n

The proposal to integrate Gimpo into Seoul lacks clear goals and detailed plans, leaving many aspects open to interpretation and debate. The specifics of how and to what extent Gimpo might be absorbed into Seoul remain uncertain.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should the entire city of Gimpo be incorporated, it would grant Seoul direct access to the Yellow Sea, but it would also bring it closer to the North Korean border. This shift could have significant implications for military strategy and defense operations in the region.<\/span><\/p>\n

Administratively, the transition poses its own challenges. Gimpo\u2019s local subdivisions, including \u201ceup\u201d and \u201cmyeon,\u201d would need to be aligned with Seoul\u2019s district-based structure. Such changes could impact residents\u2019 eligibility for certain tax benefits and development programs, altering the socio-economic fabric of the area.<\/span><\/p>\n

Further, the prospect of Gimpo\u2019s integration will influence the real estate market, with expectations of rising property values driven by potential infrastructure developments and access to Seoul\u2019s urban amenities. However, this anticipation is tempered by regulatory measures aimed at curbing speculative investments, particularly in agricultural land.<\/span><\/p>\n

Such measures have been implemented in other regions, like <\/span>Gunwi County\u2019s integration into Daegu<\/span><\/a>, to safeguard against market volatility.<\/span><\/p>\n

So, while the integration of Gimpo into Seoul could bring transformative changes to both cities, it is a decision laden with intricate details and potential ramifications, requiring careful consideration and strategic planning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon (left) meets with Gimpo Mayor Kim Byeong-soo (right) to discuss the potential merger of their two cities, Nov. 6, 2023 | Image: Gimpo City Government<\/a><\/em><\/p><\/div>\n

TANGLED OPINIONS<\/b><\/p>\n

Gaining consensus on Gimpo\u2019s integration into Seoul presents a formidable challenge, with key stakeholders holding divergent views. The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has <\/span>expressed<\/span><\/a> skepticism, criticizing the proposal as an abrupt and politically motivated move.<\/span><\/p>\n

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon remains noncommittal at this stage. His recent agreement to <\/span>form a joint research body<\/span><\/a> with Gimpo Mayor Kim Byeong-soo signals a cautious approach, indicating a desire to base his stance on <\/span>evolving public opinion<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Should Oh agree with the merger of the two cities, the PPP\u2019s majority in the Seoul Assembly could facilitate its smooth passage. However, this process is complicated by <\/span>Gyeonggi Governor Kim\u2019s opposition<\/span><\/a>, who likely views the proposal as disruptive to his plans for the province\u2019s bifurcation.<\/span><\/p>\n

The evenly split political landscape in both the Gyeonggi Legislative Assembly and the Gimpo City Council, with major parties holding equal sway, further complicates the consensus-building process.<\/span><\/p>\n

ELECTORAL STAKES<\/b><\/p>\n

The proposal to integrate Gimpo into Seoul is mired in political controversy, with critics labeling it a tactic to sway voter sentiment as legislative elections approach. In the politically pivotal province of Gyeonggi, known for its swing status, such maneuvers are especially significant.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gyeonggi\u2019s electoral history highlights its critical role in shaping South Korea\u2019s political landscape. Recent gubernatorial races, including the <\/span>tightly contested 2022 election<\/span><\/a> where the DP\u2019s Kim Dong-yeon won by a mere 0.15% margin, reflect the province\u2019s influence on national politics.<\/span><\/p>\n

The distribution of legislative seats further highlights Gyeonggi\u2019s importance. Of the National Assembly\u2019s 253 constituencies, 59 (23%) are located in Gyeonggi, with the DP securing a majority in the last parliamentary election. This includes victories in Gimpo and other areas considered for incorporation into a larger Seoul framework.<\/span><\/p>\n

Despite these challenges, the PPP has demonstrated resilience, particularly in northern Gyeonggi. In the 2022 local elections, the PPP achieved notable success, winning 22 out of 31 mayorships in the province, including nearly all in the northern region except for a narrow defeat in Paju. This indicates potential for the PPP to reverse its fortunes and appeal to voters open to changes in regional governance.<\/span><\/p>\n

OPENING A PANDORA\u2019S BOX\u00a0\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n

The PPP\u2019s <\/span>willingness to consider<\/span><\/a> incorporating other municipalities alongside Gimpo into Seoul has stirred concerns about the future of regional development. This stance raises critical questions about defining the boundaries of Seoul\u2019s metropolitan area, potentially altering the balance of urban and rural development.<\/span><\/p>\n

Several other cities, including Guri, Gwangmyeong and Hanam, are already being discussed as candidates for integration, suggesting a significant shift in the administrative landscape. The mention of Seongnam and Goyang, both with populations nearing 1 million, as potential areas for expansion reflects the growing ambition for creating megacities.<\/span><\/p>\n

This trend is not confined to the capital region. The concept of expanding metropolitan areas is gaining traction nationwide, with proposals for creating <\/span>megacities in other regions<\/span><\/a> like Daejeon, Daegu and Busan.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, these proposals also carry the risk of escalating political tensions. How the PPP navigates these considerations in the upcoming elections will be crucial in determining whether these expansion ideas materialize or become points of contention in the political arena.<\/span><\/p>\n

Edited by John Lee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Business & Economy<\/span><\/a>Domestic Politics<\/span><\/a><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

South Korea\u2019s ruling People Power Party (PPP) is advocating for the incorporation of Gimpo City into Seoul \u2014 a move that could increase Seoul\u2019s total area by 45%. If realized, it could have nationwide repercussions reshaping the country\u2019s political and economic map. This initiative, emerging amid political maneuvering ahead of upcoming general elections, has sparked […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10407,"featured_media":2202732,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[24,27],"yoast_head":"\nHow Gimpo\u2019s potential merger with Seoul raises political stakes - KOREA PRO<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/11\/how-gimpos-potential-merger-with-seoul-raises-political-stakes\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How Gimpo\u2019s potential merger with Seoul raises political stakes - KOREA PRO\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"South Korea\u2019s ruling People Power Party (PPP) is advocating for the incorporation of Gimpo City into Seoul \u2014 a move that could increase Seoul\u2019s total area by 45%. 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