Incheon politicians, civic groups demand full review of plan to relocate Overseas Koreans Agency to Sejong

Politicians and civic groups in Incheon have united in calling for a full review and cancellation of the government's plan to relocate the Overseas Koreans Agency from Songdo International City to Sejong by the first half of 2027, announced as part of the government's second plan for relocating central administrative agencies.

Democratic Party of Korea lawmaker Jeong Il-young, who represents Incheon's Yeonsu-gu, expressed deep concern over the relocation plan and formally called for a review.

In a statement Thursday, Jeong said the agency's location in Songdo, Incheon, "was the result of comprehensive consideration of its outstanding accessibility for 7.5 million overseas Koreans — given its proximity to Incheon International Airport and Incheon Port — as well as the historical significance of Jemulpo Port, where Korea's first official overseas emigration began in 1902."

Jeong added that "the convenience and on-the-ground needs of overseas Koreans must take priority over the rationale of consolidating administrative agencies," saying that a large-scale relocation push just as the agency, which opened in 2023, has settled into a stable footing would cause serious administrative inefficiency and a profound sense of loss for Incheon residents and Songdo locals.

The Incheon chapter of the Democratic Party of Korea had earlier issued a statement Wednesday saying the agency was "a precious achievement won through a campaign by Incheon citizens, the overseas Korean community, and dozens of civic organizations" when it was established in June 2023. The chapter said it "strongly opposes the Sejong relocation plan, which disregards both accessibility and historical significance, and demands an immediate review."

The Incheon chapter of the People Power Party also held a press conference Wednesday, expressing deep concern that the agency — secured through the wishes of Incheon citizens — now faces relocation to Sejong just over three years after opening.

Chapter chairman Shin Jae-kyung said the Overseas Koreans Agency is "a national hub connecting 7 million overseas Koreans with South Korea, and an institution that symbolizes Incheon's historical identity as the city where the country's first official emigration took place."

Backlash from Incheon civic groups is also intensifying. The Incheon branch of Citizens' Coalition for Economic Justice, along with the Geomdan Residents' Association Council and the Yeongjong International City General Federation, held a press conference at Incheon City Hall Wednesday, calling for the relocation plan to be dropped and for continued support for the agency's establishment in Songdo.

The Incheon Love Pan-Civic Network, a coalition of 131 Incheon organizations and groups, also called for the resignation of Overseas Koreans Agency chief Kim Gyeong-hyeop.

Civic groups said the agency "was established in Incheon through a government and Ministry of Foreign Affairs decision following a competition among multiple local governments, including Seoul, Jeju, Gwangju and Cheonan," and condemned the Sejong relocation as "an overreach that ignores procedural legitimacy."

They also said that "Incheon is the starting point of Korea's emigration history and the gateway city that overseas Koreans pass through first when returning to their homeland," and strongly urged the government to "fully withdraw the Sejong relocation plan — pursued without prior explanation or public deliberation just over three years after the agency opened — and proceed with building a dedicated headquarters in Songdo as originally promised."

With Incheon's ruling and opposition politicians and civic groups all pushing back against the government's announcement, the controversy over the planned relocation of the Overseas Koreans Agency to Sejong is expected to continue for now.