[Global Insight] Will South Korea move capital city from Seoul to Sejong?

Seoul is a global city, attracting people, capital, and enterprises from around the world,...

and it's the place where most Koreans desire to live as it offers a wider variety of jobs

and business opportunities, better infrastructure, and good education. But the city is also hugely

overcrowded,... home to nearly one fifth of the South Korean population.

There have been attempts to balance out the population density by designating the autonomous

city of Sejong as an administrative capital. The idea lost momentum due to political changes

in the noughties but the discussion has gained traction again as Seoul's housing prices have

been out of control in recent years. Liberal politicians are now suggesting parliament,

the presidential office and the country's highest courts must all move out of Seoul

for effective decentralization. But should the country move its capital and

how would it be done? To discuss this we have joining us today David

Tizzard, Professor of Korean Studies at Seoul Women's University. [ ] How are you?

And we also speak with Wonhyuk CHO, Senior Lecturer in Public Management at Victoria

University of Wellington. Great to have you join us. How's it going in Wellington?

1. Dr. Tizzard: There's been a lot of talk of moving South Korea's administrative capital

to Sejong, which was first attempted in 2002 but was declared unconstitutional in 2004.

The current administration seems to be pushing for the move while the opposition party is

against it. What's the debate here?

2. Dr. Tizzard: And how feasible do you think the move is?

3. Dr. Cho: Do you think it's possible to move the capital?

4. Dr. Tizzard: This comes amid controversy over the government's real estate measures

which have failed to tame housing prices in Seoul. Would moving the capital really resolve

Seoul's housing bubble?

5. Dr. Cho: Same question to you. Can moving capitals be the answer to Seoul's housing

issues?

6. Dr. Cho: In New Zealand, Parliament moved from Auckland to the present day capital of

Wellington in 1865. The reasons for moving were different of course. But how has the

system been working out since then would you say the function of each city is well divided/balanced

out?

7. Dr. Tizzard: The ruling Minjoo Party has already

formed a task force on the completion of moving the capital. Shouldn't there be a wider, public

consensus, or a referendum on the issue? How should the debate or process be initiated?

8. Dr. Cho: Do

you think the move should go ahead? Today, when you go to

Sejong, it’s still a ghost city, full of wide, empty streets and mostly government

buildings. Its population is 350-thousand as of this year, and hasn’t really resolved

Seoul's overpopulation problems. Why do you think Sejong has failed to attract enough

organisations, businesses and residents?

9. Dr. Tizzard: What should be done to help balance