"Could File a Petition to the Constitutional Court"

Seoul Mayor Lee Myung-bak has hinted that he could file a petition with the Constitutional Court against President Roh Moo-hyun over the government`s plan to move the administrative capital. Lee has said in an interview with the Yonhap News Agency that, "the government should carefully look over all aspects of this capital transfer, including its national economic effect, foreign examples of capital transfer, and the role of the administrative capital in the united Korean peninsula." He also added that "the public opinion should also reach a national consensus through means such as a referendum or a national vote."

In regards to this comment, Seoul city official said, "according to the legal advice provided by the lawyer of the "National Forum Against Capital Transfer," the government`s relocation plan is constitutionally incorrect, and that a request for a trial is possible."

He also added that the city may request a trial starting from the 16th, when the relocation candidate sites are to be announced, to August 15th.

However, Seoul city will not request a trial lest it seem like a governmental feud between the Chung-ju and local governments. Instead, the city will indirectly support the National Forum Against City Transfer through the Seoul Development Institute. Seoul administrative law states that "Seoul, as the national capital, holds a special status." The trial will settle the dispute between national governmental offices and local governments in the Constitutional Court of Korea.

Tae-Hun Hwang beetlez@donga.com