Gwacheon City Opposes Justice Ministry's Relocation to Sejong City…Mayor Shin Gye-yong Says "Full Review Needed"

Gwacheon City (Mayor Shin Gye-yong) held a press conference titled "Opposing the Government's Unilateral Relocation of the Government Gwacheon Building" in the lobby of Gwacheon City Hall on the 10th, demanding a review of the government's plan and the formation of an official consultation body, stating that the Justice Ministry's relocation plan, which has a major impact on Gwacheon's future, was announced without sufficient prior consultation with Gwacheon City.

Currently, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety is conducting research projects examining future utilization plans for the Government Gwacheon Building and idle land, as well as mid-to-long-term improvement directions. However, Gwacheon City revealed that it has not been able to participate in the deliberation process of the relevant research project.

In particular, the idle land has been repeatedly mentioned as a housing supply site according to government policies, raising concerns among Gwacheon citizens.

Gwacheon City holds the view that since the utilization direction of the Government Gwacheon Building and idle land directly affects Gwacheon's urban structure and long-term development direction, Gwacheon City and citizens must participate as official discussion subjects in the research project process.

On that day, Gwacheon City demanded from the government △full review of the Justice Ministry's relocation plan to Sejong △transparent disclosure of research projects for future utilization of the Government Gwacheon Building △formation of an official consultation body between the government and Gwacheon City △"replacement agency confirmed first, then relocation" if the Justice Ministry's relocation is pursued △comprehensive city-level review of national policies being pursued throughout Gwacheon.

Mayor Shin Gye-yong said, "We are not opposing the national direction itself of balanced national development," and added, "Gwacheon City and its citizens must not be excluded from the process of deciding Gwacheon's future."

He continued, "A full review of the Justice Ministry's relocation plan is Gwacheon City's basic position," and emphasized, "If the government nonetheless proceeds with the relocation, it must first confirm a central administrative agency capable of maintaining Gwacheon's administrative and self-sufficiency functions, or a national core function agency equivalent to it."

Gwacheon City plans to request meetings with the President, Prime Minister, Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and other relevant departments going forward, while demanding the government's clear position. Additionally, the city plans to cooperate with the local community, including Gwacheon citizens and the Gwacheon City Council, to pursue a joint response.