{"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