This is the sixth in a series introducing the key inter-party battle fields in the upcoming April 11 general election. ― Ed


One of the key constituencies in the April 11 election is the recently designated Sejong City, the new administrative city in South Chungcheong Province.

Parties have set their eyes on Sejong’s first-ever parliamentary seat as the city is regarded as not only a significant political symbol but also a bellwether for the central region of the country.

The city was designed by the liberal government of the late President Roh Moo-hyun in an attempt to move the country’s capital to the inland region.

However, the ambitious new-capital plan was ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Court in 2004 and scaled down to the current blueprint, facilitating only the relocation of most government ministries and agencies.

A three-way race is under way in the new constituency.

Representing the Chungcheong-based conservative minority Liberty Forward Party is its chairman Sim Dae-pyung, who gave up his original constituency in neighboring Gongju to enter the high-profile Sejong race.

Sim was South Chungcheong governor at the time of the Constitutional Court’s ruling. Against this backdrop, he has stressed that he fought to maintain the original plan to relocate the capital.

“I was the one who campaigned in the streets with local residents to protest against the court’s decision,” Sim said.

He also focused his pledges on developing the city into the second most influential city in the country after Seoul.

“Chungcheong, despite its geographic advantages, has long been treated as an outskirt region,” he said.

“I shall promote the country’s regional balance through the development of Sejong City.”

The LFP leader’s greatest advantage is his long-standing ties with the Chungcheong provinces as reflected in his party’s steady poll numbers in the area.

The figures, however, recently took a downturn as the party has displayed signs of internal feuding, especially upon the resignation of former chairman Lee Hoi-chang from the election committee.

In response to Sim, the main opposition Democratic United Party nominated former Prime Minister Lee Hae-chan, who was in charge of the administrative capital plan under the former government.

“As the original initiator, I shall complete the Sejong City construction and fight to make it an ideal administrative city,” Lee said.

Though his candidacy was only recently confirmed, the former prime minister immediately took the lead in most public polls.

According to a survey released by a local daily on Wednesday, Lee had 33.9 percent of the support, beating Sim by 12.7 percentage points.

“Because the city construction plan is still incomplete and flawed, it is important that its representative should be able to secure the necessary budget and communicate with the central government,” Lee said.

He also claimed that Sim has contributed little to the area, despite his potential influence as a Chungcheong-based party leader and incumbent lawmaker.

The ruling Saenuri Party, on the other hand, selected Shin Jin, a political debutant and professor at Chungnam National University in South Chungcheong Province.

“Sejong City should be represented by someone who is free from partisan disputes and political interests,” Shin said.

His most reliable endorsement comes from Saenuri chairwoman and strong presidential potential candidate Rep. Park Geun-hye, who is generally favored by local residents for fighting against moves to scrap the Sejong City plan.

“Many are pledging to vote for Rep. Park in the year-end presidential election and this will act as a positive factor for Shin,” said an official with his camp.

By Bae Hyun-jung (tellme@heraldcorp.com)