Sejong Mayor Choi Min-ho Opens Election Campaign Office

Choi Min-ho, the incumbent mayor of Sejong City, officially launched his re-election campaign on April 19 with the opening of his campaign office in the city’s administrative district. The event, held at 4 p.m. Along Han-nuri-daero, marked the formal beginning of his bid for a second term in the June 2024 local elections. Choi, who has served as mayor since 2022, framed his campaign around completing Sejong’s development as South Korea’s administrative capital and advancing what he calls the “second phase” of the city’s growth.

The campaign office opening drew attendance from senior members of Choi’s political party, the People Power Party, along with Sejong City council members and local residents. According to multiple local news outlets present at the event, Choi emphasized his administration’s progress in relocating government ministries and agencies to Sejong, a process initiated under previous administrations but accelerated during his tenure. He pledged to continue pushing for full administrative functionality, including the complete transfer of key national institutions currently based in Seoul.

Choi’s vision for a “second Sejong” centers on transforming the city from a primarily government-focused hub into a self-sustaining urban center with robust residential, educational, and cultural infrastructure. This includes expanding public transportation networks, increasing housing supply to accommodate civil servants and their families, and developing amenities such as parks, schools, and healthcare facilities to improve quality of life. The concept builds on the original plan for Sejong, which was conceived in the early 2000s to alleviate congestion in Seoul and promote balanced regional development.

Sejong’s Role as South Korea’s Administrative Capital

Sejong City was established in 2007 under the Special Act on the Construction of Sejong City and enacted in 2012, with the goal of relocating several ministries and national agencies from Seoul to reduce regional inequality. As of 2024, approximately 36 government organizations, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Personnel Management, and the Korea Fair Trade Commission, have either partially or fully moved to Sejong, according to data from the Ministry of the Interior and Safety. However, key institutions such as the Blue House (presidential residence), the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court remain in Seoul, limiting Sejong’s de facto status as the nation’s administrative capital.

Choi has consistently advocated for completing this transfer, arguing that full relocation would enhance governmental efficiency and promote balanced national development. In a March 2024 policy address, he stated that “Sejong cannot be considered a true administrative capital until all core functions of government operate from within its borders.” His campaign platform includes lobbying the National Assembly and the Presidency to pass legislation mandating the phased relocation of remaining agencies by 2030.

Supporters of the Sejong project cite benefits such as reduced traffic congestion in Seoul, lower housing costs for public servants, and increased investment in underdeveloped regions. Critics, however, point to challenges including resistance from government employees reluctant to relocate, concerns about disrupting judicial and legislative independence, and the high financial cost of rebuilding infrastructure. A 2023 study by the Korea Development Institute noted that while satisfaction among relocated workers has improved over time, nearly 40% still prefer living in the Seoul metropolitan area due to family ties and cultural amenities.

Campaign Priorities and Local Development Plans

Beyond the administrative capital agenda, Choi’s re-election bid focuses on tangible improvements to daily life in Sejong. His platform includes expanding the city’s bus rapid transit (BRT) system, increasing the number of public kindergartens and daycare centers to meet demand from young families, and launching a new initiative to attract private tech companies to Sejong’s designated innovation zone. The city has already secured commitments from several IT firms to establish satellite offices, part of a broader strategy to reduce reliance on government employment.

Choi also highlighted progress on Sejong’s smart city initiatives, which integrate digital technology into urban management. These include AI-powered traffic monitoring, automated waste collection systems, and a citywide IoT network designed to improve energy efficiency. In February 2024, Sejong was selected as a pilot site for the Ministry of Science and ICT’s “Smart City National Strategy,” a program that provides funding and technical support for cities adopting advanced digital infrastructure.

Environmental sustainability is another pillar of his platform. Choi pledged to expand Sejong’s bicycle lane network by 150 kilometers over the next four years and to ensure that all new public buildings meet zero-energy standards by 2027. The city already operates one of the largest district heating systems in the country, utilizing waste heat from a nearby power plant to provide heating and cooling to government complexes and residential areas.

Political Context and Electoral Outlook

Choi is running under the banner of the People Power Party, South Korea’s main conservative party, which currently holds the presidency and a plurality in the National Assembly. His main challenger in the upcoming election is expected to be a candidate from the Democratic Party of Korea, the primary liberal opposition party, though as of mid-April 2024, no official Democratic nominee had been confirmed for the Sejong mayoral race.

Local political analysts note that Sejong has historically leaned conservative in municipal elections, partly due to its demographic makeup of civil servants and younger families affiliated with government agencies. However, voter turnout in local elections tends to be lower than in national contests, and issues such as housing affordability and commuting times often transcend partisan lines. A February 2024 poll by Gallup Korea indicated that 52% of Sejong residents approved of Choi’s performance as mayor, while 31% disapproved and 17% were undecided.

The official campaign period for the June 1, 2024, local elections began on May 16, with candidates allowed to engage in formal campaigning, including rallies and door-to-door outreach. The National Election Commission has set June 1 as the election day, with advance voting scheduled for May 29 and 30. Results will be released nationally on the evening of June 1, with Sejong’s outcome expected to be reported alongside other metropolitan and provincial races.

What’s Next for Sejong’s Development

Regardless of the election outcome, Sejong’s trajectory as a planned administrative city remains tied to national policy decisions beyond municipal control. The completion of its role as South Korea’s administrative capital depends on legislative action at the national level, particularly regarding the relocation of the National Assembly and judicial branches. Choi has pledged to continue advocating for these changes if re-elected, using his platform to engage with national policymakers and rally public support.

For residents and observers interested in tracking Sejong’s development, the city government maintains an official English-language portal at www.sejong.go.kr/eng, which provides updates on infrastructure projects, policy initiatives, and administrative statistics. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety also publishes annual reports on the progress of government relocation efforts, available through its official website.

The opening of Choi Min-ho’s campaign office signals the start of a pivotal moment in Sejong’s evolution. As the city approaches its second decade since inception, the question of whether it will fully realize its original ambition — to serve as a balanced, functional alternative to Seoul — remains central to its political and urban future.

We invite readers to share their thoughts on Sejong’s development and the upcoming mayoral election in the comments below. If you found this article informative, please consider sharing it with others interested in South Korean politics, urban planning, or public administration.