# South Korean regional public institution relocation disputes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-regional-public-institution-relocation-disputes > Updated: 2026-10-23T15:47:00.000Z. Sources: 12. Developments: 5. Local leaders and lawmakers in South Korean provinces are actively resisting or negotiating the relocation of central government agencies to promote regional development. In Gyeongsangnam-do, Governor Park Wan-soo and regional Democratic Party lawmakers have called on the central government to ensure the second phase of public institution relocation aligns with local strategic industries like shipbuilding, defense, and aerospace. They specifically requested that integrated power public enterprise headquarters be moved to Gyeongnam Innovation City and expressed strong opposition to relocating the Naval Academy from Jinhae. Regional leaders are also working to secure the 2025 national budget to support projects such as small modular reactor testing centers. In Incheon, opposition to the planned relocation of the Overseas Koreans Agency to Sejong City has intensified. Residents and local officials in Yeonsu-gu have launched a large-scale signature campaign to prevent the move, noting that the agency only opened in Songdo in June 2023. Local civic groups have met with Yeonsu-gu Mayor Lee Jae-ho to coordinate a response, claiming a lack of prior consultation from the central government. This movement coincides with local demands for a new Songdo Police Station to address public safety concerns. As the government prepares to announce the movement of approximately 350 public institutions from the Seoul metropolitan area, regional representatives are organizing to influence the process. At a forum held at the National Assembly, leaders from various innovation cities discussed strategies to maximize regional growth. Daegu Dong-gu District Mayor Woo Seong-jin emphasized attracting institutions in the advanced medical and bio sectors to leverage existing R&D infrastructure. Other regions, including Naju, Jinju, Wonju, and Jeonju, focused on improving living conditions to ensure the stable settlement of relocated employees. ## Claims - The Ministry of the Interior and Safety plans to relocate 44 central administrative agencies from the metropolitan area to Sejong starting in 2027. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Overseas Koreans Agency is scheduled for relocation in the first half of 2027. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Eight public institutions in Incheon, including the Incheon Port Authority, are subject to consolidation. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Incheon Mayor Park Chan-dae proposed attracting an Overseas Koreans Education and Culture Center to the region. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The government announced the consolidation of 109 agencies following a meeting on September 3. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-23: Yeonsu-gu residents launch campaign against relocation of Overseas Koreans Agency Yeonsu-gu residents and local officials have begun a signature campaign to block the relocation of the Overseas Koreans Agency to Sejong and to demand the establishment of a new Songdo Police Station. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/yeonsu-gu-residents-launch-campaign-against-relocation-of-overseas-koreans-agency ### 2026-10-21: South Korean innovation cities discuss second phase of public institution relocation South Korean innovation cities held a National Assembly forum to strategize for the second phase of relocating 350 public institutions from the Seoul metropolitan area to regional hubs. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/south-korean-innovation-cities-discuss-second-phase-of-public-institution-relocation ### 2026-10-18: Overseas Koreans Agency relocation to Sejong sparks Incheon backlash The planned relocation of the Overseas Koreans Agency from Incheon to Sejong has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders and political parties, who cite historical significance and policy inconsistency. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/overseas-koreans-agency-relocation-to-sejong-sparks-incheon-backlash ### 2026-10-14: Incheon officials protest relocation of Overseas Koreans Agency to Sejong Incheon politicians and local leaders are protesting the South Korean government's plan to relocate the Overseas Koreans Agency to Sejong, calling it a loss of vital economic and regional assets. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/incheon-officials-protest-relocation-of-overseas-koreans-agency-to-sejong ### 2026-09-28: Gyeongsangnam-do officials urge public institution relocation Gyeongsangnam-do Governor Park Wan-soo and Democratic Party lawmakers issued a joint statement urging the government to relocate public institutions to the region and maintain the Naval Academy in Jinhae. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/gyeongsangnam-do-officials-urge-public-institution-relocation --- Cite as: South Korean regional public institution relocation disputes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-korean-regional-public-institution-relocation-disputes