A rendering of the successful design within the architectural competitors for the Sejong presidential workplace / Courtesy of Korean Institute of Architects
For greater than twenty years, the Korean authorities has tried, in matches and begins, to maneuver its heart of political energy away from Seoul. The trouble has produced a brand new administrative metropolis and dozens of relocated authorities ministries, however the president has by no means had an actual foothold with them down south. President Lee Jae Myung desires to alter that and, on Tuesday, he gave his clearest sign but that he intends to get it constructed earlier than his time period ends.
Talking at a Cupboard assembly held at Authorities Advanced Sejong, Lee referred to as for ministers to make an all-out push to finish a brand new presidential workplace within the metropolis, saying he desires to carry his administration’s closing Cupboard assembly there.
“Speed up the development of the presidential workplace in Sejong and the Sejong department of the Nationwide Meeting and ensure that associated infrastructure tasks proceed with out disruption,” he mentioned, describing Sejong as a metropolis that should grow to be a firmly established heart of nationwide governance to help balanced regional growth.
The remarks have been the most recent and most concrete reaffirmation of his marketing campaign pledge that has grow to be central to his regional growth agenda, whilst questions linger over whether or not the plan quantities to a full relocation of the presidential workplace or the institution of a second office alongside Seoul.
Marketing campaign promise with constitutional limits
Lee first pledged to construct a presidential workplace in Sejong in April 2025, whereas operating within the Democratic Get together of Korea’s presidential main. He promised to finish the challenge inside his five-year time period, later formalizing it as considered one of his 10 official election pledges.
However he has acknowledged a key limitation: a full relocation of the presidential workplace would require amending the Structure, since a 2004 Constitutional Court docket ruling successfully enshrined Seoul because the nation’s capital by customary legislation. That authorized ceiling is why the present plan is framed not as a outright relocation of the seat of energy, however as the development of a second presidential office.
President Lee Jae Myung speaks throughout a gathering at Authorities Advanced Sejong, Tuesday. Yonhap
Progress throughout Lee’s time period
The push gained momentum rapidly after Lee took workplace. On Aug. 5, 2025, about two months after Lee’s inauguration, the State Affairs Planning Committee designated the challenge as considered one of its precedence fast-track duties. By Dec. 22, the federal government chosen a grasp plan — “The Future We Construct Collectively” by ANU Design Group Architects — for Sejong’s Nationwide Symbolic District, which is about to deal with each the presidential workplace and a brand new Sejong department of the Nationwide Meeting.
A separate design competitors for the Sejong presidential workplace itself launched in January 2026, with a winner initially to be revealed in April. That announcement was postponed abruptly, nonetheless, amid considerations that the main design did not sufficiently convey the dignity, nationwide symbolism and Korean id anticipated of a landmark state constructing. Lee opted to refine — reasonably than reopen — the competitors and the successful design by HAEAHN Structure was introduced on July 22.
What comes subsequent
Officers now intention to fine-tune and finalize the design and break floor in 2027, concentrating on occupancy by August 2029. An advisory panel of specialists in tradition, structure and historical past is predicted to be convened to assist refine the design, alongside continued public enter.
As soon as accomplished, the ability is predicted to function a second presidential office, the place the president can work nearer with the ministries which have already relocated to Sejong over the previous decade. The query of a full and everlasting relocation of the presidential workplace from Seoul, nonetheless, stays topic to constitutional and political debate.
Sejong Metropolis welcomed Lee’s renewed dedication, Tuesday. Sejong Mayor Cho Sang-ho referred to as on the Meeting to cross a particular act on the executive capital throughout its common session, saying the laws would offer a secure authorized basis for the challenge.
“We are going to proceed to press forward, along with our 400,000 residents, till the president’s daring imaginative and prescient involves fruition as a landmark achievement that reshapes Korea’s future,” town authorities mentioned in a press release.
