Presiding over the 24th Saemangeum Committee in Gunsan, Jeonbuk
Preparing the 'Phase 2 Saemangeum Basic Plan' by February 2021
"Saemangeum, Reborn as a 'Green New Deal and New Industry Hub'"
Public-led First Reclamation Smart Waterfront City Designated as Special Planning Zone
Ministry of Environment to Prepare Follow-up Measures for 'Phase 2 Water Quality Measures' in First Half of 2021
Ministry of Agriculture to Complete Agricultural Life Land by 2024
A drone shot of the Saemangeum East-West Road. It will open 10 years after the completion of the Saemangeum Seawall in April 2010. (Photo by Jeollabuk-do) [Image source=Yonhap News]
[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] Prime Minister Chung Sye-kyun declared, "We have set a goal to complete the Saemangeum project by 2050." The plan is to develop Saemangeum into the 'Korean New Deal hub' through floating solar power, green hydrogen facilities, and the SK data center.
Prime Minister Chung made this announcement while presiding over the 24th Saemangeum Committee meeting at the Gunsan Saemangeum Convention Center in Jeollabuk-do on the afternoon of the 24th.
The meeting discussed four agenda items: ▲ Direction for establishing the 2nd phase Saemangeum basic plan ▲ Integrated development plan for Saemangeum smart waterfront city ▲ Comprehensive evaluation results of the 2nd phase water quality improvement comprehensive measures for the Saemangeum watershed ▲ Current status of Saemangeum agro-biological land development and direction for agricultural water supply promotion.
Before the meeting, Prime Minister Chung visited the site of the Saemangeum East-West Road opening ceremony to celebrate the opening, expressed gratitude to the technicians, and awarded them.
Goal to complete Saemangeum project by 2050
President Moon Jae-in delivering a speech at the 'Saemangeum Renewable Energy Vision Declaration Ceremony' held at the Saemangeum Floating Solar Power Plant in Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do, in October 2018. (Image source=Yonhap News)
On this day, the Saemangeum Development Agency presented specific directions for the '2nd phase Saemangeum basic plan.' Having completed the 1st phase project this year, the 2nd phase basic plan will be prepared by February next year.
The agency redefined Saemangeum's role as a 'Green New Deal and new industry hub.' The development goals will be changed to focus on core projects such as a clean energy hub, green industry base, economic special zone, eco-tourism center, and premium waterfront city.
The 2nd phase basic plan will shift from the current level, which only suggests minimal development directions, to an 'implementation plan presenting a phased land development roadmap.' The goal is to complete the project by 2050.
A concrete business model for the next 10 years will be presented, including ▲ green hydrogen complex ▲ port economic special zone ▲ new technology demonstration complex ▲ complex tourism complex.
Plans include preparing support measures for essential infrastructure such as internal arterial roads, designating investment promotion zones, and expanding specialized incentives such as national pilot projects.
1.3 trillion KRW waterfront city development... Special zone designation
Land use concept strategy presented in the Saemangeum Smart Waterfront City Integrated Development Plan. (Source: Office for Government Policy Coordination)
The agency has prepared the 'Saemangeum Smart Waterfront City Integrated Development Plan (draft).'
The Saemangeum smart waterfront city project is the first public-led reclamation project attempted in Korea, with an investment of 1.3 trillion KRW.
The waterfront city will reflect medium- and low-density population and housing distribution, and a high ratio of parks and green spaces (36%).
Residential and commercial functions will be combined, and areas around lakes and ponds within the city will be designated as special planning zones.
In the future, the private sector will be able to creatively plan building uses, building coverage ratios, and floor area ratios.
Water quality measures to be prepared in the first half of 2021... Agro-biological land to be completed by 2024
Satellite view of the Saemangeum area. It can be viewed through the 'Saemangeum Real-Time Video Transmission System' established by Jeollabuk-do. (Photo by Jeollabuk-do) [Image source=Yonhap News]
The Ministry of Environment will prepare follow-up measures (draft) for the '2nd phase water quality improvement comprehensive measures' by the first half of next year.
The Ministry stated that the 2nd phase measures applied over the past 10 years from 2011 to 2020 were insufficient. They explained that there were limitations in improving the water quality of Saemangeum Lake due to reduced seawater circulation.
To achieve the target of grade IV for agricultural land sections and grade III for urban land sections, it is necessary to secure agricultural water and continue improving upstream water quality.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced plans to complete the development of 9,430 hectares of Saemangeum agro-biological land by 2024. The agro-biological land will be utilized as an agricultural industry cluster.
Starting next month, the operation time of the drainage sluice gates will be expanded from once a day (daytime) to twice a day (day and night).
Additionally, agricultural water supply plans will be prepared by the first half of next year.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Chung visited the Saemangeum East-West Road opening ceremony site on the day, congratulated the opening, expressed gratitude to the technicians, and awarded them.
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