Interior Minister: Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Gender Equality to Relocate to Sejong Sequentially Starting First Half of Next Year

The South Korean government will pursue the sequential relocation of central administrative agencies located in the Seoul metropolitan area, including the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality, to Sejong starting in the first half of 2027.

Agencies requiring separate new buildings, such as the Prosecution Service, the Investigation Agency, and the National Police Agency, will be relocated after constructing new facilities.

Interior Minister Yoon Ho-jung announced the government's "Second Central Administrative Agency Relocation Direction" today (the 3rd), stating, "We will pursue the second relocation of central administrative agencies to strengthen the Sejong-centric national governance system and enhance the efficiency of inter-ministerial collaboration and communication."

The government plans to comprehensively review central administrative agencies and their affiliated organizations in the metropolitan area based on their functions, characteristics, and inter-agency work connectivity to carry out the Sejong relocation.

While 43 agencies moved to Sejong between 2012 and 2021, the ministry explained that a large number of agencies still remain in the metropolitan area.

First, to enable the relocation of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality, which are currently designated as exceptions to relocation under the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Act, the government will push for a revision of the law to remove them from the exception list.

Specific relocation targets, methods, and schedules will be finalized by modifying and publicizing the "Relocation Plan for Central Administrative Agencies" through consultations with related central administrative agencies and public hearings in accordance with the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Act.

Following the relevant procedures, the government plans to begin sequential relocations starting in the first half of 2027, prioritizing larger agencies or those with greater relocation impacts, such as the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality.

However, agencies that require separate buildings, such as prosecution offices (the Prosecution Service and the Investigation Agency) and the National Police Agency, will be relocated after their new buildings are constructed.

Instead of uniformly moving all agencies at the same time, the government intends to relocate them in stages, taking into account the working conditions and preparation status of each agency.

Regarding the selection of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality as priority relocation targets, Minister Yoon explained, "Since there are explicit provisions in the law stating that certain ministries are excluded from relocation, we addressed those ministries for which such provisions exist."

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Unification, which are also designated alongside the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality as exceptions under the law, will be reviewed for relocation in alignment with the timing of the relocation of the presidential office to Sejong.

Minister Yoon stated, "The relocation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Ministry of Unification is being reviewed in line with such timelines, such as 2030 when the presidential office in Sejong is relocated, or 2033 when the National Assembly branch opens."

Other metropolitan-area agencies not specifically mentioned in this announcement, such as the Financial Services Commission, are not excluded from relocation.

Minister Yoon stated, "Just because they were not in today's announcement does not mean they are excluded," adding, "We will finalize and publicize the relocation plan and target agencies during the fourth quarter of this year."

The government will also formulate measures to ensure business continuity for each agency to prevent the interruption or delay of public-facing tasks directly linked to daily life, such as civil complaints, licensing, and policy execution.

To help transferred employees and their families settle in Sejong, the government plans to check settlement conditions such as housing, education, childcare, and transportation, while also establishing working environments so that relocating agencies can perform their duties stably at an early stage.

The government plans to reflect the budget necessary for the relocation of central administrative agencies in next year's budget and request cooperation from the National Assembly for revisions to the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Act.

Centered around the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Office for Government Policy Coordination, a joint task force (TF) of related ministries will be formed to review agency-specific relocation plans, office building acquisition status, business continuity assurance, and support for the settlement of employees and their families.

Minister Yoon said, "The relocation of central administrative agencies is not merely moving the government's physical space," adding, "It is a task to enhance the efficiency of national administration, strengthen the function of Sejong as an administrative city, and further solidify the foundation for balanced national growth."

(Photo: Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.