The Overseas Koreans Agency, which opened in Incheon in June 2023, has been confirmed for relocation to Sejong City after just about three years.

On the 13th, the government announced, "44 central administrative agencies and others in the Seoul metropolitan area will be relocated to Sejong in phases starting in 2027," adding that "the Overseas Koreans Agency is a priority relocation target for the first half of next year."

While the government cites Sejong-centric governance and the enhancement of administrative efficiency as reasons for the move, questions remain as to how much the opinions of the 7 million overseas Koreans—the policy consumers of the agency—were actually gathered.

On the 14th, the Overseas Koreans Agency (Commissioner Kim Kyung-hyeop) briefly stated in a press explanation document, "Strengthening Sejong-centric governance is a key national task of the current administration shared by all ministries," and "This announcement is the result of sufficient discussion at the Cabinet meeting."

Domestic media, as well as overseas Korean media, are filled with frustration over such perfunctory press releases, which resemble defensive rebuttal statements regarding articles such as News1’s "Sudden Announcement of the Relocation of the Overseas Koreans Agency to Sejong… No Prior Consultation or Notice" and Incheon Today’s "Government Pursuing Relocation of Overseas Koreans Agency to Sejong… 'Absurd' Promise to Stay in Incheon Made Just a Month Ago."

Although it was stated that the matter was sufficiently discussed in the Cabinet, compared to the announcement of Incheon's independent building plan made only half a month ago at the World Korean Business Convention, it is difficult to see that sufficient consultation took place with Incheon City and the overseas Korean community, who are the policy consumers.

The Overseas Koreans Foundation, the predecessor of the Overseas Koreans Agency, was established in 1997 and located in the Diplomatic Center in Seocho-dong, Seoul.

Later, in accordance with the government's public institution decentralization policy, its headquarters was moved in July 2018 to the Jeju Innovation City in Seogwipo-si, Jeju Island. At the time, the government presented balanced national development and the vitalization of international exchanges as justifications for the move. Even then, overseas Koreans expressed strong resentment due to accessibility issues.

However, when the Overseas Koreans Foundation was abolished and upgraded to the Overseas Koreans Agency in 2023, the main headquarters was established once again in Songdo International City, Incheon. This decision considered the convenience of immigration and entry for overseas Koreans as well as accessibility to international airports. Yet, after settling in Incheon for only about three years, it is now being relocated to Sejong.

The relocation process—spanning from Seoul to Jeju, Jeju to Incheon, and now to Sejong—shows the reality where the location of the dedicated agency for overseas Koreans changes every time the government changes or administrative policies shift. This demonstrates a complete disregard for convenient accessibility and policy considerations for overseas Koreans visiting their motherland.

The most prominent issue pointed out in this relocation decision is that the opinions of current Commissioner Kim Kyung-hyeop were seemingly not reflected at all. Commissioner Kim had insisted on maintaining the office in Seoul and Incheon, considering the independence of the building and the convenience of compatriots.

The Overseas Koreans Agency differs in nature from general central administrative agencies. It is an institution dedicated to protecting the rights and interests of compatriots residing abroad, strengthening their connection to the motherland, and supporting the maintenance of identity for the next generation of Koreans.

Therefore, when deciding the location of the office, important criteria should include not only work cooperation with other government ministries, but also accessibility and ease of use for overseas Koreans.

Incheon is South Korea's gateway through which overseas Koreans enter via its international airport. On the other hand, while Sejong may be advantageous for inter-ministerial collaboration, it could impose additional travel burdens for overseas compatriots visiting in person.

Looking at the constantly shifting office location policy, one can gauge how much attention the government is actually paying to policy improvements that overseas Koreans can tangibly experience.

When judging whether to relocate, a comprehensive review must be conducted—not just of administrative efficiency, but also of overseas Koreans' accessibility, the continuity of civil petition services, and cooperative systems with compatriot organizations.

The reason for the existence of the Overseas Koreans Agency lies not in the region where the building is located or in government administrative convenience, but in the rights, interests, and benefits of the 7 million overseas Koreans around the world.

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