Han reignites push for megacity
Han Dong-hoon, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party, speaks during an event at Gimpo in Gyeonggi Province, Saturday. Yonhap
After a recent leadership change within the ruling People Power Party (PPP), questions were raised over the validity of an election pledge laid out three months ago for Seoul to absorb Gimpo and other neighboring cities under its new “megacity” development vision.
Han Dong-hoon, the party’s interim chief, assured voters on Saturday that he will stick to the vision, reviving a political debate over its feasibility and necessity.
“Gimpo would be part of Seoul when magnolias begin to bloom in spring,” Han said during a party event in Gimpo, Gyeonggi Province, ahead of the general elections coming up in April. “If my fellow citizens wish, the PPP and I will push for it.”
He said the PPP and the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) share the concern that the province of more than 13.5 million residents needs to be divided for the sake of administrative efficiency. But the two parties have failed to reach an agreement on how to handle the issue, with the DPK seeking to divide the province in half as its own solution.
To break the political deadlock at the National Assembly and to meet the different demands by residents in different regions, Han said his party will push for both visions simultaneously, adding that those ideas would be able to materialize only through such a compromise.
His remarks came after weeks of silence on the issue since taking the leadership of the PPP on Dec. 26, 2023. This means that he has completed his political calculations, experts said.
“Politically, there is no reason for the PPP not to push for the megacity plan,” said Shin Yul, a professor of political science at Myongji University. “Residents in Gimpo, many of whom are sensitive to how the election results might affect their property prices, would welcome the idea, as would voters in other neighboring cities that could also benefit from it.”
Hong Hyeong-sik, a political analyst, also thinks the Seoul expansion plan will likely help the PPP’s candidates take seats from two DPK lawmakers in Gimpo. Voters who are expected to gain direct benefit from the expansion of Seoul would be more likely respond to the issue with passion than those who don’t agree with it for different reasons, he said.
“But the pledge could backfire in other parts of the country, as many are concerned or even upset with the ruling party, believing it is using the issue purely for political purposes without a proper review for the country as a whole,” Hong said.
Ever since Han’s predecessor brought up the proposal, critics have been slamming the PPP for doubling down on developing the capital area at a time when other regions are struggling with falling populations amid Korea’s rapidly declining birthrate.
Lim Jong-seok, who served as chief of staff to former President Moon Jae-in, denounced the pledge as a “foolish idea” that would only worsen problems associated with overpopulation in the capital region, which is home to more than half of the nation’s population.
Lee Jun-seok, leader of a new self-styled conservative party, joined the criticism, saying that before proposing it to the people, the PPP needs to convince critics within the party first, such as Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok and Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo.
The three mayors previously expressed skepticism over the idea for “being out of step” with the country’s broader vision for balanced development. But Oh recently said the PPP would have no choice but to make it as its official election pledge as many voters are in favor.