The Tale of Sejong City: Korean Experience of Capital Shifting

SEAToday.com, Jakarta - Shifting capitals is not an unfamiliar phenomenon in Asia, and Indonesia’s recent move from Jakarta to Nusantara is just the latest chapter.

Countries like Myanmar, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Kazakhstan have already made bold moves, establishing new capitals like Naypyidaw, Putrajaya, Islamabad, and Almaty—each built with a master plan to reflect the future.

South Korea’s Sejong City is another milestone in capital relocation. Founded in 2007, Sejong was created to ease congestion in Seoul and promote growth in the central region. While many government ministries have relocated to Sejong since 2012, Seoul still holds key government bodies like the National Assembly.

Sejong, now South Korea’s de facto administrative capital, symbolizes strategic development and a vision for a more region-balanced nation.

Sejong City and Its History

Sejong City, named after King Sejong the Great—the creator of the Korean alphabet Hangul—was conceived as part of a bold vision by President Roh Moo-hyun in 2003. His goal? To shift South Korea’s capital away from the sprawling metropolis of Seoul and create a new administrative hub in the country’s centre. The idea was to ease Seoul's overwhelming influence on politics and economics while spurring growth in other regions.

Security concerns also played a key role, as Seoul sits just 30 kilometres from the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and within easy range of North Korean artillery. Relocating the capital would place it behind natural barriers like rivers and mountains, offering better protection in case of a sudden attack.

The Tale of Sejong City: Korean Experience of Capital Shifting

King Sejong Statue in Gwanghamun, Seoul (SEA Today/Alvin Qobulsyah)

However, the plan hit a major roadblock in 2004 when South Korea’s Constitutional Court ruled that Seoul must remain the capital. This led to a revised approach: Sejong would become a special administrative city, housing most government ministries but not the official capital. By 2012, ministries began moving, and by 2019, 12 were fully relocated.

Though some key ministries remain in Seoul, including Foreign Affairs and Defense, Sejong has thrived. Designed as a "smart city," Sejong has become a leader in South Korea’s push for tech-driven urban development, standing as a model for future cities nationwide.

What Nusantara Can Learn from Sejong?

According to Joannes Ekaprasetya Tandjung, the former Coordinator of the Creative and Digital Economy Function at the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, Sejong's innovative and smart city concept can inspire the development of IKN Nusantara.

Joannes underlined the importance of making IKN more than just a formal centre of government; it should also be a city with additional attractions for residents and visitors.

“I can say that Sejong has an attraction, how they connect the ministry buildings through a large rooftop garden,” he said during the discussion “ASEAN-Korea: Navigating the Future of Relations under a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” organised by the Korea Foundation and Foreign Policy Community Indonesia at The Westin South Jakarta, Tuesday (10/9).

Joannes Ekaprasetya Tandjung (left, Former Coordinator of the Creative and Digital Economy Function at the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul), H.E. Lee Jang-keun (centre, Ambassador of The Republic of Korea to ASEAN), Choi Hyun-Soo (Director of Korea Foundation Jakarta) (FPCI & Korea Foundation)

Sejong successfully integrated the ministry buildings with a rooftop that links buildings and features a garden and solar panels.

Sejong has one of its unique main attractions- the world's largest rooftop garden complex, which connects 15 ministry buildings. The concept was recognised by Guinness World Records and attracted much attention.

The roof allows for easy mobility between buildings without having to go down to the lobby of each building, creating efficiency and convenience for employees and citizens who wish to visit.

Sejong Government Rooftop Complex (Wikimedia)

According to the South Korean government's official website, the Sejong Government Complex roof garden is the most extensive roof garden in the world. It has a total length of about 3.6 km and an area of 79 thousand square metres, equivalent to the area of 11 football fields combined.

Moreover, this innovation benefits aesthetics, attractiveness, and environmental sustainability. The roofs of the buildings in Sejong are equipped with solar panels, which contribute to the use of renewable energy.

The garden has 187 different plant species and 1.08 million plants in total. It includes herb gardens, medicinal gardens, fruit and berry trees, and vine tunnels. Seasonal tree species showcase different landscapes throughout the four seasons.

When will Korea’s capital completely move to Sejong?

Before his presidential election victory, Yoon Suk-yeol made a bold promise: to push forward with relocating South Korea’s capital from Seoul to Sejong. As he prepares to take office, his administration is expected to invest heavily in Sejong’s future, focusing on cultural, educational, and medical infrastructure.

Located 125 kilometres (80 miles) south of Seoul, Sejong was designated a "special self-governing city" in 2012 after construction began in 2007. Yoon’s vision for Sejong goes beyond infrastructure—he plans to transfer key elements of the National Assembly to the city and create special economic zones to attract foreign investment.

He’s also keen on turning Sejong into a cutting-edge technology and research hub, bringing in top scientists, entrepreneurs, and media organizations.

In the long term, Yoon even envisions a second presidential office operating in Sejong, running alongside the one in Seoul until Sejong eventually becomes the full seat of government. Plans are already in motion, with the South Korean government aiming to relocate 36 ministries and agencies to the city. Government Complex Sejong, completed in 2013, marked a key milestone in this ongoing transformation.