The government will sequentially push for the 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 office buildings, such as the Public Prosecutors' Office, the Serious Crime Investigation Office (tentative translation), and the National Police Agency, will be relocated after constructing new buildings.

Minister of the Interior and Safety Yun Ho-jung announced the government's "Second Central Administrative Agency Relocation Direction" today (the 3rd).

Minister Yun stated, "We will pursue the second relocation of central administrative agencies to strengthen the Sejong-centered state administration system and enhance the efficiency of inter-ministerial collaboration and communication."

The government plans to proceed with the relocation to Sejong by comprehensively reviewing the functions, characteristics, and inter-agency operational connectivity of central administrative agencies and their affiliated organizations located in the capital area.

First, the government will push for a legal amendment to relocate the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality, which are currently designated as agencies exempt from relocation under the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Act.

The amendment involves removing the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality from the list of agencies exempt from relocation.

Specific relocation targets, methods, and schedules will be finalized through consultations with relevant central administrative agencies and public hearings in accordance with the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Act.

The government plans to subsequently amend and publicize the "Relocation Plan for Central Administrative Agencies, etc."

Following the related procedures, the government plans to sequentially relocate agencies with large sizes or high relocation impacts, such as the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality, starting in the first half of 2027.

However, agencies requiring separate office buildings, such as the Public Prosecutors' Office, the Serious Crime Investigation Office, and the National Police Agency, will relocate after constructing new facilities.

Rather than relocating all agencies simultaneously at the same time, the government's policy is to move them in stages, taking into account each agency's operational conditions and preparation status.

During the relocation process, the government will also prepare measures to ensure business continuity for each agency so that services directly related to people's daily lives, such as civil complaints, permits and licenses, and policy execution, are not suspended or delayed.

To help relocated employees and their families settle in Sejong, living conditions such as housing, education, childcare, and transportation will also be reviewed.

The government also plans to establish a working environment to ensure that the relocated 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 the amendment of the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Act.

A task force (TF) consisting of relevant ministries centered around the Ministry of the Interior and Safety and the Office for Government Policy Coordination will also be formed.

The task force will monitor agency-specific relocation plans, office building acquisition status, business continuity assurance, and support for the settlement of employees and their families.

Minister Yun said, "The relocation of central administrative agencies is not just about moving government spaces."

He emphasized, "It is a task that enhances the efficiency of national administration, strengthens the function of Sejong as an administrative city, and further solidifies the foundation for balanced national development."

(Photo: Yonhap News)