Foreign Embassies to Relocate to New Capital

The government is planning to relocate foreign embassies to the new administrative capital along with its executive, legislative and judiciary branches.

On June 23 during a public hearing in the Korean Press Center at Tae Pyung-ro, Chung-gu, Seoul, the Committee on the Administrative Capital said, “In order to make the new capital truly functional, we are planning to relocate all the crucial parts of the government, including political and administrative functions,” adding, “We are also supporting the construction of a diplomatic complex [in the new capital] and a convention center to attract diplomatic and international organizations. “

The Committee also mentioned, ”To make the city self sufficient, we would like to attract various functions such as cultural and educational facilities. However, we will limit the relocation of factories or manufacturers from the Metro Seoul Area.”

Lee Chun-hee, the vice chairman of the committee, promised, “For the foreign embassies relocating to the new capital, we will provide help in every possible way, such as choosing a site, though discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.”

Kwang-Hyun Kim kkh@donga.com