[Editorial] Will the Government Relocate the Capital Despite Public Opposition?

The government has announced the venue for a new executive capital. It made clear that it would push through the relocation of the capital as planned although a majority of the public opposes it. It showcases the government’s obduracy that does not care about the public opinion.

Regarding the opposition party’s demand for the delay in the announcement of the location of the new capital, Prime Minister Lee Han-chan said, “The decision at the National Assembly and public opinion are not the same in value. The resolution at the National Assembly is absolutely more important.” However, this regime has been the regime for public opinion, by public opinion, and of public opinion. It finalized the presidential candidate with the results of an opinion poll. When the National Assembly passed an impeachment resolution against the president, it refused to accept it at face value, citing that 60-70 percent of the public was opposed to it. Using it as a momentum, it won the National Assembly elections. Now, the same regime will flout a majority public opinion. Its despising of the public has crossed the line. The special law on the new executive capital codifies that the government should collect public opinion extensively to contribute to the national unity. This is a compulsory clause.

The prime minister made the announcement, following the president’s plan to transfer administrative routines to his office. This is suspicious because the prime minister is at the forefront of a sensitive issue while the president has stepped aside. If the president, who once identified the opposition to the relocation with the demand for his resignation, gives an impression that he stepped aside, he will be bound to be criticized as being irresponsible or politically maneuvering.

The public voice against the relocation is getting bigger and bigger. A survey by Hyundai Research finds that opponents of the relocation rose to 57.4 percent this month from 51 percent last month. While government officials traveled nationwide to promote the relocation project, the opposition has become much stronger.

Avenues for debate about the relocation have been open. Ruling is pending on the petition over the constitutionality of the relocation at the Constitutional Court. The Grand National Party has submitted a bill to form an ad hoc committee on capital relocation. Even the ruling Uri Party has proposed a nationwide debate. Democratic and rational institutions are waiting to be utilized to avoid divisions in public opinion. Why is the regime attempting to divide public opinion, nevertheless? Probably the regime’s bunker mentality is set in motion. However, it has to consider the aftershock and adverse effects of its posturing.