South Korea plans major administrative shift away from Seoul by 2029

South Korea has announced plans to establish a presidential office in Sejong City by 2029 as part of a broader initiative to redistribute government functions away from the capital. The administration will relocate approximately 350 institutions from Seoul to other locations, marking one of the most significant administrative restructuring efforts in the country's recent history.

The decentralization drive reflects a strategic policy shift intended to ease congestion in Seoul, which has long served as the nerve centre of South Korean politics, business, and culture. By dispersing government agencies across the nation, officials aim to foster more balanced economic development in other regions and reduce the concentration of power in the capital.

Sejong City, a purpose-built administrative hub located south of Seoul, will serve as a key destination for the relocated presidential office and various government departments. The planned infrastructure developments are expected to transform Sejong into a major administrative and economic centre for the country.

The relocation project, while ambitious in scope, represents a continuation of South Korea's long-standing efforts to deconcentrate Seoul. Officials have indicated that the transition will be phased over the coming years to ensure operational continuity while achieving the broader objective of more distributed governance.