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
out the development of cities
outside of Seoul?
We'll
have to leave the discussion here
but it was great speaking with you. David Tizzard, Professor of Korean Studies
at
Seoul Women's University andCHO Wonhyuck, Senior Lecturer in Public Management
at Victoria University of Wellington. Thanks for
joining
the program.