Ulsan City Explores Customized Factory Site Provision Plan
Full-Scale Consultations with Korea Rail Network Authority Begin in January
[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Yong-woo] Ulsan City is entering into full-scale consultations with the Korea Rail Network Authority to find ways to utilize the railway land within the Mipo National Industrial Complex where operations have been suspended.
The railway land within the Ulsan Mipo National Industrial Complex where operations have been suspended includes the Jangsaengpo Line and the Ulsan Port Line.
The Jangsaengpo Line covers an area of 27,000㎡ and extends 1.9km. It was used in the past for logistics movement of nearby factories such as SK Energy and Korea Petroleum Industrial.
However, due to improvements in the road network and other factors reducing its utility, operations have been suspended since January 2018.
About ten companies adjacent to the railway line, including Korea BASF, have been experiencing difficulties in factory expansion and enlargement due to the railway tracks.
Since the second half of last year, Ulsan City has been conducting on-site inspections and visiting companies to resolve these difficulties, and has been in preliminary consultations with the Korea Industrial Complex Corporation and the Korea Rail Network Authority regarding the abolition of use and line closure.
Starting from January this year, the city plans to begin full-scale consultations with the Korea Rail Network Authority, the manager of the railway line, on ways to utilize the railway land.
In the consultations, Ulsan City plans to actively support administrative measures through joint cooperation with companies for the utilization of the railway land, including line closure and abolition of use, industrial complex implementation plan approval, and land acquisition.
The Ulsan Port Line, covering an area of 78,000㎡ and extending 3.2km, has also been out of operation since May last year. A hydrogen electric tram demonstration project is scheduled to begin in August this year, and after the demonstration project ends, a demand survey for companies will be conducted to prepare utilization plans.
An official from Ulsan City said, “If the long-suspended railway land is utilized in a customized way to meet the shortage of factory sites, it will greatly help attract investment from companies and revitalize the local economy by removing obstacles to factory expansion.”
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