Proposal smacks of pork

Prudent approach essential to tackle national agendas

Ruling People Power Party interim leader Han Dong-hoon proposed, Wednesday, to relocate the National Assembly to the administrative town of Sejong. Unveiling the plan during a press conference, Han emphasized the need to end the era of politics in Yeouido, which is the current location of the National Assembly, and reclaim the space for the citizens of Seoul. This decision symbolizes a resolute determination to secure the support of voters in both the capital and Sejong.

Han vowed to mobilize all possible means to develop Sejong as an administrative city to match Washington D.C. and Yeouido as a financial hub similar to Hong Kong and Singapore. The Assembly relocation plan was initially set in motion in 2002 by then-President Roh Moo-hyun. In October of last year, the National Assembly approved a bill to relocate 12 standing committees out of a total of 17, along with budget and legislation research departments, to Sejong.

Currently, the planned relocation of all Assembly organizations appears to be picking up steam, given the support by both the ruling and opposition parties. However, a growing dispute has emerged as the relocation plan was announced, seemingly as a campaign tactic just 13 days before the crucial April 10 general elections.

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, chairman of the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), expressed support for the plan. “The relocation had also been a pledge of the opposition party.” But Lee criticized Han for attempting to use the plan as a political maneuver. The nascent Rebuilding Korea Party and Saemirae Party also welcomed the plan. RKP’s leader Cho Kuk even underlined the need to move the nation’s capital and other judiciary institutes such as the Supreme Court along with the National Assembly to Sejong. His remark drew special attention as the party has been garnering wide support from across the country in the lead-up to the general elections.

There are expectations of enhanced efficiency once the legislative and administrative branches are consolidated in the new city. A considerable number of civil servants will end up conducting business from KTX trains while commuting between Sejong and Yeouido. Many of them need to stay in Seoul for days at a time, away from their homes and families in Sejong, during the National Assembly’s audit of state affairs.

These and other ensuing inefficiencies have raised economic and time-related costs for the government, which stand to be lowered under the relocation plan. If executed smoothly, the plan would also have a positive impact by facilitating balanced national development.

But what really matters is how to put the plan into practice. In fact, the plan has been a topic of discussion for quite some time. Many people seem to harbor skepticism regarding the relocation of the entire Assembly apparatus, including the plenary chamber and the House Speaker’s office.

If the Yoon Suk Yeol administration is serious about the plan, it needs to map out a relevant and deliberated roadmap, comprising a blueprint for parliament to be set up in Sejong. It also needs to figure out exactly how to finance the project. Some experts foresee the plan requiring a budget of around 4 trillion won ($2.96 billion).

Campaigning for the general elections officially kicked off on Thursday. Now, the DPK seems to be maintaining the upper hand over the PPP. Despite the brewing conflict between medical doctors and the government, many people are supportive of the Yoon administration’s plan to increase the enrollment quotas of medical colleges. But the PPP is grappling with the dismal approval ratings of President Yoon paired with the controversy involving the newly-appointed Korean Ambassador to Australia Lee Jong-sup.

Against this backdrop, the PPP should be aware of the intensifying criticism over the recent relocation announcement. Critics say the plan was unveiled as the PPP has become desperate to woo voters mainly in the central Chungcheong provinces and Seoul.

There should be ample discussions and public debate to garner social consensus on the issue of the Assembly relocation. We should adopt prudent and cautious approaches to seek wise solutions to this national issue, which holds significant importance for the people.