After much difficulty, the ruling and opposition parties have agreed on the size of the "administrative center city." At first the ruling party's plan was to leave only ministries relating to diplomacy and security remain in Seoul and move 16 ministries, but it has compromised with the main opposition and agreed to move only 12. That is not quite what one would have wished, but we hope the follow-up measures are quick to come since it is something both camps have agreed on.
Believing that the construction of a new administrative capital is necessary for balanced national development, the Hankyoreh finds the contents of the agreement disappointing. There can always be controversy over the size of a government city of administration that does not run contrary to the Constitutional Court's decision that the administrative capital plan was unconstitutional, but leaving not only diplomacy and security related ministries but also the Ministry of Government Administration and Home Affairs (MOGAHA) and a total of six ministries in Seoul is too many. It is particularly inconsistent to leave MOGAHA in Seoul when it is exactly the ministry that is supposed to be so strongly pursuing regional decentralization.
The administrative city they have agreed on is deformed. They say they are leaving the ministries that are most responsible for internal and external affairs, but you wonder if the work of government ministries can really be divided up like that. You get the feeling that the city ended up being bargained over like merchandise as each side tried to look better. In the end, ministries will be in Seoul and the administrative city on a ratio of 1 to 2, so it looks like there will invariably be no small amount of waste in the course of running the government.
Even so, it is major progress to have the ruling and main opposition parties agree on the city's construction. Now that they have agreed on which ministries are to go and on a budget, we hope they hurry with the follow-up legislation. A year has been wasted already, and various problems will be created – in the area of land expropriation for example – if things are further delayed. Anger on the part of the citizens of the Chungcheong will have to be handled wisely, since they are demanding the construction of a new capital.
They have arrived at an agreement, but we do not think that is the end of it. The plan should be implemented without having to face complications, but it should be revised whenever the situation requires. Ultimately, the "correct answer" for the balanced national development sought by the government is the construction of a new administrative capital.
The Hankyoreh, 24 February 2005.
[Translations by Seoul Selection (PMS)]
[Editorial] Half the City it Was Supposed to Be |
