Democratic Party of Korea former leader and presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung pledged Thursday to open a presidential office and National Assembly building in Sejong, South Korea’s administrative capital about 110 kilometers south of Seoul.
Once there is national social consensus on the plan, he pledged, the country will initially operate dual offices for the presidency and legislature in both Seoul and Sejong.
Lee said he would push for the complete relocation of these institutions in the long term, and make Sejong the nation's official capital.
The presidential office and residence were located behind the main palace of Gyeongbokgung in Seoul for 74 years, 1948-2022, but relocated to two different locations in Yongsan-gu in 2022.
The National Assembly has been located in Yeouido, Seoul, since 1975.
Lee’s proposal is part of a broader regional development strategy aimed at revitalizing the Chungcheong region, which includes Sejong.
“With urbanization in the Greater Seoul area, other regions remained underdeveloped and have missed out on opportunities for growth,” Lee wrote.
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