Gwacheon City Opposes Justice Ministry's Relocation to Sejong City... Mayor Shin Gye-yong Calls for "Reconsideration from the Ground Up"

Gwacheon City (Mayor Shin Gye-yong) held a press conference opposing 'the government's unilateral relocation of the Government Gwacheon Complex' in the lobby of City Hall on the 10th, stating that the Justice Ministry's relocation plan, which has significant implications for Gwacheon's future, was announced without sufficient prior consultation with Gwacheon City. The city demanded reconsideration of the government's plan and the establishment of an official consultation body.

Currently, the Ministry of Interior and Safety is conducting a research project reviewing future utilization plans for the Government Gwacheon Complex and idle land and mid- to long-term improvement measures, but Gwacheon City stated that it has not been able to participate in the discussion process of the relevant research project.

In particular, the idle land has been repeatedly mentioned as a housing supply site according to government policies, leading to ongoing concerns from Gwacheon City residents.

Gwacheon City holds the position that since the utilization direction of the Government Gwacheon Complex and idle land directly affects the city's urban structure and long-term development direction, Gwacheon City and citizens should participate as official discussion stakeholders in the research process.

On this day, Gwacheon City demanded from the government: △Reconsideration of the Justice Ministry's Sejong relocation plan from the ground up △Transparent disclosure of the research project for future utilization of the Government Gwacheon Complex △Establishment of an official consultation body between the government and Gwacheon City △"Confirm replacement institution first, then relocate" if the Justice Ministry relocation proceeds △Comprehensive city-level review of national policies being promoted throughout Gwacheon.

Mayor Shin Gye-yong of Gwacheon City said, "We are not opposed to the national direction of balanced national development itself," and added, "Gwacheon City and its citizens should not be excluded in the process of determining Gwacheon's future."

He continued, "Reconsideration of the Justice Ministry relocation plan from the ground up is Gwacheon City's basic position," and emphasized, "However, if the government proceeds with the relocation, it must first confirm a central government agency that can maintain Gwacheon's administrative and self-sufficient functions or a national core function agency equivalent to it."

Going forward, Gwacheon City plans to request meetings with the President, Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Interior and Safety and other relevant departments, and will demand the government's clear position. Additionally, the city plans to cooperate with the local community, including Gwacheon citizens and the Gwacheon City Council, to take joint countermeasures.

천의현 대표이사 euihyun@suwonilbo.kr