The relocation of Cheongju Prison has resurfaced as a critical issue ahead of local elections in South Korea, highlighting the long-standing challenges posed by the prison's location in the city.
As South Korea approaches its local elections in 80 days, the issue of relocating Cheongju Prison has gained renewed attention in Chungcheongbuk-do province. Situated in the prime area of Mipyung-dong in Cheongju’s western district, the prison has been seen as an obstacle to development for nearly 50 years, making it a recurring topic during election periods. Politicians, parties, as well as local and provincial governments have consistently called for the prison’s relocation; however, progress has been slow due to a lack of decisive action from the Ministry of Justice, which holds the key to any relocation efforts.
Recently, Cheongju City announced plans to conduct on-site visits to potential relocation sites with the Ministry of Justice within the month. After delaying a site visit and discussions that had initially been scheduled for last year, the city aims to publicly announce selected relocation candidates after further consultations. Following a research project conducted from 2022 to 2024 on establishing a relocation strategy, Cheongju officials proposed eight potential sites and narrowed them down to three after evaluations. These shortlisted sites are expected to be located on the outskirts of Cheongju, approximately a 30-minute drive from the local district court and prosecutor's office, although the city has hesitated to disclose them due to concerns over public opposition and compensation matters.
The Ministry of Justice recognizes the necessity of relocating the outdated Cheongju Prison, which was established in 1908 and moved to its current location in 1978. Notably, high-profile inmates including former President Kim Dae-jung and key figures from various scandals have drawn public interest to this facility. However, the prison currently suffers from overcrowding, accommodating around 2000 inmates in a space intended for 1600, leading to sustained calls for improvements or relocation. Plans are being considered for constructing a new prison on a site of approximately 400,000 square meters around 2035-2036, as both the Ministry and Cheongju City are working to build consensus on the need for this change amid concerns of public opposition and procedural complexities.
