Kang Jun-hyeon of Democratic Party welcomes relocation of Justice Ministry, Gender Equality Ministry to Sejong

Rep. Kang Jun-hyeon of the Democratic Party of Korea, who represents Sejong Special Self-Governing City (Eul) district, welcomed the government's announcement Thursday confirming the relocation of the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family to Sejong.

The government Thursday announced a public institution relocation plan that includes moving both ministries to Sejong in the first half of next year.

Interior and Safety Minister Yun Ho-jung said the government would also pursue an amendment to the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Special Act to remove the two agencies from the list of institutions exempt from relocation. Analysts say the announcement increases the likelihood that a revision bill to the same law — which Kang introduced as the lead sponsor in September last year — will clear a plenary vote in the National Assembly.

"With the confirmed relocation of the two agencies, another piece of the puzzle toward completing Sejong as the administrative capital has fallen into place," Kang said. "We will make sure to enact not only the revision to the Multifunctional Administrative City Construction Special Act but also a special law establishing the full legal status of Sejong as the administrative capital — all within this year. We will continue working to relocate additional central government ministries and major public institutions currently based in the Greater Seoul area."