During the presidential elections, candidate Lee Jae-myung pledged to make Sejong the de facto administrative capital of South Korea and Daejeon a global science hub, proposing the relocation of the presidential office, National Assembly, and various public institutions to Sejong. Situated about 100 km south of Seoul with a population of 400,000, Sejong was originally envisioned as a new capital by President Roh Moo-hyun in 2003 to ease congestion in Seoul and promote balanced regional development. However, a 2004 Constitutional Court ruling upheld Seoul’s status as the capital, stalling the plan. Experts like Moon Yoon-sang from the Korea Development Institute suggest Sejong could follow Washington, D.C.'s model, with hopes that key governmental functions would shift there. Despite the potential, Sejong faces infrastructure and lifestyle limitations, such as a 25% vacancy rate in large shopping centers and lack of universities or major firms, making it less appealing to young professionals. Locals like startup worker Lee Ho-baek and restaurant owner Jace Kim emphasize the city’s quiet, family-friendly nature but acknowledge it lacks opportunities for youth. Professor Park Jin from KDI supports Sejong's official capital status but notes it would require a constitutional amendment needing two-thirds National Assembly approval and a public referendum. While a 2022 survey showed 54.9% support for relocating the capital, 51.7% opposed moving key government offices from Seoul. With most infrastructure and talent concentrated in Seoul, Park argues for investing in other major cities, suggesting Sejong and nearby Daejeon combine into a research and administrative hub. He also believes other cities outside the Seoul region should each host at least 4 million residents for balanced urban growth. Busan, with 3.26 million people, has already been flagged as at risk of extinction due to low birth rates and youth migration to Seoul, reflecting broader demographic challenges. As half of South Korea’s population lives in the capital region, the country faces an urgent need for more balanced regional development. Whether Sejong becomes the new administrative capital depends on the election outcome and whether Lee’s vision gains nationwide support.
- Reported by kanta Kumari
Intern at the Korean Academy
Korean news analysis and reporting
