Han Seung-soo, the Prime Minister of South Korea, announced on September 3 that the government will unveil a plan in the fourth quarter of this year to relocate over 350 public institutions in the Seoul metropolitan area, aiming to minimize their presence there. The relocation is set to begin in 2027.
During a joint press conference at the Government Seoul Complex, Han outlined the direction for the second phase of relocating central administrative agencies and public institutions, as well as plans for functional reforms.
"The root of many of South Korea's significant issues lies in the concentration of power in the Seoul metropolitan area and the imbalance in national development," Han stated. He emphasized that balanced growth is not merely a choice but a survival strategy for a sustainable South Korea.
The government will prioritize the relocation of central administrative agencies to Sejong City, starting with those that have a significant scale and impact, with plans to move them by the first half of 2027.
Han described Sejong City as a symbol and central axis of balanced development, announcing plans to establish a presidential office there by August 2029 and to support the completion of the National Assembly's Sejong building by 2033.
The relocation of public institutions will follow the principle of minimizing their presence in the metropolitan area. The government plans to announce the relocation strategy for the 350 institutions in the fourth quarter of this year and begin the actual relocation process next year.
The government will avoid a simple distribution of institutions by region. Han stated, "We will refrain from a 'sharing' distribution and instead concentrate the energy for regional growth like a campfire, maximizing the strength of regional hubs by clustering around innovation cities."
The relocation targets and regions will be determined based on the 'five poles and three special' growth engines, regional development strategies, and the functions of existing innovation cities. The government aims to minimize conflicts of interest and social tensions by gathering opinions from local governments and labor groups.
Employees of the relocating institutions will receive support for relocation and housing costs, and improvements will be made to living conditions, including education and healthcare, to help them settle down with their families.
In the Seoul metropolitan area, the government will establish new development directions to enhance economic, cultural, and international exchange functions. It will also expand services directly related to citizens' lives, such as housing, education, and healthcare, to prevent a decline in the metropolitan area's competitiveness due to the relocation of public institutions.
Alongside the relocation of public institutions, the government will also pursue a large-scale functional reform. It plans to reduce a record 109 public institutions through strategic structural reforms, consolidation of similar and overlapping functions, and integration of smaller institutions.
Reforms will begin immediately for institutions that do not require legal amendments, with each ministry developing a roadmap for functional reforms for their respective institutions. Job security will be guaranteed for employees of the institutions undergoing functional adjustments, along with support measures for salaries, benefits, and incentives.
Han assured that the government would deliver visible results quickly, similar to the relocation of the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries to Busan and the integration of KTX and SRT services.
The Prime Minister's Office will activate a consultative body with relevant ministries to monitor the progress of the relocation and functional reforms. The Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will lead the relevant policies, while the Prime Minister's Office will mediate any disagreements between ministries.
Han also called on the National Assembly to expedite the review and processing of related budgets and to facilitate prompt legal amendments for the successful relocation and reform of central administrative agencies and public institutions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.