“The party will work to incorporate Gimpo-si into Seoul” Is Kim Gi-hyeon aiming for votes in the Seoul metropolitan area?

Kim Gi-hyeon, chairman of the People Power Party, visits the Gimpo Hankang Vehicle Base, which manages the Gimpo Gold Line, on the 30th. Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

“After an internal review by the party, we concluded that it would be desirable to incorporate Gimpo into Seoul,” People Power Party (PPP) leader Kim Gi-hyeon (pictured) said on October 30. He continued and said, “For the convenience of the residents, we will respect their opinions, and in principle, promote the incorporation of the city into Seoul at the party level.” The PPP plans to merge the two cities by enacting a special bill in the National Assembly. The decision is likely an attempt to gain support in the Gyeonggi area including Gimpo, which wants to be incorporated into Seoul, ahead of the parliamentary elections next year.

At a meeting on transportation measures for new cities in the greater Seoul area at the Gimpo-Hangang Depot in Gimpo-si, Gyeonggi, Monday, when Gimpo Mayor Kim Byeong-soo handed a proposal for the incorporation of Gimpo into Seoul, Kim Gi-hyeon expressed his support saying, “Even compared to London, New York, and Berlin, the area of Seoul is much smaller than the population, so our basic view is that it is better to expand the area of Seoul.”

He cited the administrative convenience in solving transportation issues for the grounds of his support. He said, “Since Incheon and Gyeonggi are also involved, the connection with Seoul, which leads (policies), is not smooth, and Seoul, in the middle, appears to be taking a step back and watching the situation.” Kim further said, “I think local governments that are connected should be grouped together,” adding, “If things go well, I think the western part of Gimpo could become the next Pangyo.”

The PPP leader argued that incorporating Gimpo into Seoul would also help the balanced development of Seoul. He said, “If Seoul can secure the land in Gimpo, it could correct some of the bias in the overall development of the city and also help achieve a balance in all four directions--north, south, east and west.” He further argued, “The hinterland economy can develop in the Gangseo and western area of Seoul, and we could also attract foreign trade, foreign investment and tourism with Seoul’s resources.”

“If the city of Gimpo collects citizens’ opinions and launches a process to merge with Seoul, we will actively consult the government and proceed with the process of incorporating Gimpo into Seoul,” Kim said.

Kim said that the latest decision was based on the premise that other areas in Gyeonggi adjacent Seoul could also be incorporated into the capital city. “In addition to Gimpo, there could be other neighboring cities with similar problems. We will review the living areas, schools, and commute of residents in nearby cities and if they share the same living area as Seoul citizens, we will respect the residents’ opinion and generally support incorporation into Seoul at the party level,” he said.

Kim’s remarks on the incorporation are likely an attempt to attract votes form the Seoul metropolitan area in next year’s parliamentary elections. On October 11, the PPP was defeated in a by-election for the district mayor of Gangseo-gu in Seoul, which reignited talks about the party’s troubles in the capital area.

However, Yu Eui-dong, head of the party’s policy committee met with reporters after the meeting Monday and said, “The mayor of Gimpo made the proposal today,” suggesting that it was not the party’s initiative. Yu said, “It’s not something we can do, but the residents want it, and I think there was enough public discussions in Gimpo. Otherwise, I don’t think there is any reason to lead this issue from the center.”

Gimpo-si has argued that if Gyeonggi-do’s proposed separation into North and South Gyeonggi becomes a reality, the city should be incorporated into Seoul and not North Gyeonggi-do. For the city of Gimpo to be incorporated into Seoul, it needs approval from all the local councils of Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Gimpo or pass a referendum. Then lawmakers must enact a bill on the incorporation into Seoul. In a parliamentary inspection by the Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee on October 23, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon drew the line on the issue saying, “Gimpo first suggested it, not Seoul.” Mayor Oh is scheduled to meet the Gimpo mayor next week.

Kang Sun-woo, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Korea said, “It came out of nowhere,” adding, “Such restructuring of administrative districts should be considered very carefully.”