http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/3554296.stm
South Korea has chosen a site in central South Chungchong province to house its new capital city.
"The Yeongi-Kongju area has been selected as the site for a new capital," Prime Minister Lee Hai-chan said in a live national broadcast.
Construction of the new capital, which has not yet been named, is due to begin in 2007 and be completed by 2030.
The $45bn move is designed to reduce Seoul's overcrowding and economic dominance over the rest of South Korea.
Government and administrative functions will be moved to the new city, and possibly parliament and the supreme court, although any sizable relocation is not expected to happen until 2012.
President Roh made the relocation plan a key part of his manifesto
The location of the new capital was chosen ahead of three other candidates, Eumseong/Jincheon in North Chungchong province, and Chonan and Kongju/Nonsan, both in South Chungchong province.
"The new capital site was found to be the best among the candidate locations in terms of potential contribution to the nation's balanced regional development, ease of access and living environment," Mr Lee was quoted as saying in the Korea Times.
Mr Lee said land purchases would begin next year on the 7,100 hectare (17,540 acre) site.
Political issue
President Roh Moo-hyun has made moving the capital one of the core objectives of his term in office, and it fulfils a campaign pledge he made before elections in 2002.
He insists the move is key to the decentralisation of the country, and more balanced regional development.
But opposition parties have called for a referendum, saying Mr Roh's plans go further than originally announced.
The Grand National Party said in a statement that the plan should be reconsidered, and was against the will of the public.
The relocation still faces legal obstacles, and civic groups have launched a constitutional appeal.
But Mr Lee said that suspending the move would go against democratic principles, since it had the backing of parliament.
