Sejong City, a planned city with a population of 400,000, could transition from obscurity to the center of political power in South Korea under presidential frontrunner Lee Jae-myung. He proposes relocating key government institutions to Sejong to decentralize power from Seoul, aiming to alleviate congestion and promote development in the central region. Despite some ministries moving there, Seoul remains the official capital and retains dominance in political and economic life. Lee's vision could shift this dynamic significantly, echoing earlier ambitions from President Roh Moo-hyun in 2003.
"I will make Sejong the de facto administrative capital and Daejeon a global science capital," Lee said in the run-up to the election, referring to the nearby central city.
Sejong was conceived of in 2003 by late President Roh Moo-hyun, who believed that moving the capital would achieve the twin aims of reducing congestion in Seoul and encouraging development in South Korea's central region.
While the prime minister's office and about a dozen ministries have moved to Sejong over the years as part of successive governments' decentralisation efforts, Seoul has remained not only the official capital but also the centre of political, economic and cultural life.
If South Korea's likely next president has his way, Sejong could soon become the country's de facto capital.
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