Sejong is a special self-governing city located in the central region of South Korea. The city was officially established on July 1, 2012. Administratively, Sejong is situated within South Chungcheong Province. Sejong covers an area of approximately 465 square kilometers. The city is led by a mayor as the head of the local government.
The city is named after Sejong the Great. The historical figure was the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty who created the Hangeul alphabet.
The idea behind the city's creation stemmed from efforts toward balanced national development. The South Korean government sought to reduce population concentration in the Seoul Capital Area. Seoul was facing high population density and rising housing costs.
The Division of Governmental Functions with Seoul
The initial plan for Sejong’s development emerged under the administration of President Roh Moo-hyun in 2002. The government at the time intended to relocate all capital functions to the Chungcheong region. However, the Constitutional Court of Korea overturned the decision in 2004. The legal ruling established that Seoul remained the official capital of the country.
The development of Sejong as an administrative center continued under President Lee Myung-bak in 2008. Sejong was subsequently designated as a practical administrative hub. As an administrative city, Sejong houses the majority of executive ministries. The Ministry of Economy and Finance as well as the Ministry of Environment operate in the city.
National research institutes were also gradually relocated to Sejong. Ministry-level government agencies began full operations in the area in 2014. Other government branches remain centered in Seoul. The Office of the President of South Korea is located in Seoul.
The National Assembly as the legislative body also stays in the official capital. The Supreme Court, the highest judicial authority, did not change its location.
Smart City Spatial Concept
The design of Sejong applies a ring-shaped spatial structure concept. The center of the ring focuses on green areas and public facilities. Government Complex Sejong serves as the primary facility driving bureaucratic activities. The complex features a network of buildings interconnected with one another.
The rooftops of the ministry buildings are designed to form a continuous rooftop garden. The length of the rooftop garden reaches approximately 3.6 kilometers. The area is recorded as the largest rooftop garden in the world. Green spaces are prioritized to support the eco-friendly city concept.
Sejong's transportation system is designed around integrated mass transit. Dedicated Bus Rapid Transit lanes encircle the city's core activity centers. Intercity transport access is supported by Osong Station outside the city limits. Osong Station connects directly to the KTX high-speed rail network heading toward Seoul. Beyond Osong, Jochiwon Station serves conventional railway lines in the northern district.
Supporting Urban Infrastructures
Beyond its role as an administrative center, Sejong City features public infrastructure outside the ministry area. The city features Sejong Lake, which spans an area of 705,000 square meters with a water surface area of 322,000 square meters. That size makes it the largest artificial lake in South Korea. The lake area sits adjacent to the National Library of Korea, Sejong.
In the education sector, Sejong City hosts several higher education campuses. KDI School of Public Policy and Management is located in the area. Korea University and Hongik University also operate branch campuses in Sejong. Campus buildings stand in proximity to national research centers.
The urban area is connected by a ring road network and dedicated bus lanes. Shopping centers, commercial areas, and residential complexes surround the central zone. The infrastructure completes Sejong City's physical framework as a residential area and activity center in the central region.
