[Editorial] Capital Relocation Should be Reviewed by the National Assembly

President Roh has said yesterday that he, as the president, is obliged to follow through with a validly made decision from the National Assembly all the while stating his will to go on with the relocation of the administrative capital. In other words, a public vote can be organized if the National Assembly reaches consensus to renegotiate the matter even though it is now almost certain that the capital will be moved with the passage of the Special Code on the Reconstruction Administrative Capital with the mutual agreement from both the government party and the opposition party.

It will be most difficult to reach an agreement about holding a public vote, considering the seat distribution between the government party and the opposition, but the president has nonetheless left room for the possibility. However, pushing ahead with the move while leaving the window of possibility open may bring more confusion and disagreement. The government should allow about six months for the National Assembly to talk through the issue and hold off the preparation for the relocation for a while.

The relocation of the capital has topped the list of priorities for the 17th National Assembly as it was launched just a few days ago. Both the government party and the opposition should work together to review the Special Code on the New Administrative Capital, which was hastily passed through on the basis of political theories, and come up with a new code if necessary to bring out consensus from the public.

First and foremost, it should be made clear if the relocation of the capital actually does top the agenda at the current point in time, and whether it is the relocation of the administrative capital or the transfer of the capital itself. An objective inspection also should be done on the cost of the move and how it will be financed. The public cannot be convinced with figures expanding from 45 trillion won to 120 trillion won.

An in-depth debate, a unbiased public hearing, and a trustworthiness polling of the public opinion are some of the measures needed to be taken at the very least to verify the validity of the relocation. A national consensus will be reached about the relocation of the capital only when it is decided through a public vote after such prerequisites are addressed.