Prime Minister Han Seong-sook said on the 3rd that central government agencies based in the greater Seoul area will begin relocating to Sejong in the first half of next year, starting with those whose moves carry the largest scale and impact. The prime minister also said the government will cut 109 public institutions.
Han made the remarks at a news conference on the relocation of administrative and public institutions and on functional reform of public institutions, held at the Government Complex Seoul in Jongno District. "Balanced growth is no longer a matter of choice but a survival strategy for a sustainable Republic of Korea," she said.
The government will announce relocation plans in the fourth quarter of this year covering some 350 public institutions in the greater Seoul area, under a principle of minimizing the number that stay, and will begin the moves next year, Han said. "Through strategic restructuring to strengthen global competitiveness, consolidation of similar and overlapping functions, and mergers of small institutions, we will cut 109 public institutions, the largest reduction ever," she said.
The government plans to build a presidential office in Sejong by August 2029 and complete a National Assembly building there in 2033, finishing the administration-focused multifunctional city.
Aware that public institutions targeted for relocation are expected to resist, Han said the government would listen closely to local governments, labor groups and others. "We will draw up a reasonable relocation plan that a majority can agree with," she said. "We will communicate closely with stakeholders and minimize social conflict." She added that the government would provide substantial support for relocation and housing costs so that employees of the affected institutions face no inconvenience, and would sharply improve living conditions including education and medical services.
