Overseas Koreans Agency relocation to Sejong sparks Incheon backlash

The South Korean government's plan to relocate the Overseas Koreans Agency from Incheon to Sejong has sparked significant political backlash. The Ministry of the Interior and Safety recently announced a plan to move 44 central administrative agencies to Sejong, including the agency which was established in Incheon only three years ago.

Critics and local political figures argue that the decision contradicts the original reasoning for the agency's placement in Incheon, which emphasized accessibility for the 7 million overseas Koreans and the city's historical significance as the site of Korea's first modern immigration. Former Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok has formally opposed the move, accusing the government of betraying citizens and the overseas community after previously stating a relocation to Seoul was not an option.

Local political parties, including the Democratic Party, the Rebuilding Korea Party, and the People Power Party, have called for a reconsideration of the plan. There is growing pressure on Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae to move beyond merely conveying government policy and instead actively defend the city's interests. Opponents argue that the potential relocation of an educational and cultural center cannot compensate for the loss of the central administrative headquarters.