‘Minor Change Delegation of Authority’ Daejeon City Anticipates Boost in Special Zone Development Projects

The authority for 'minor changes' in research and development special zone development projects will be delegated to the mayors and governors of cities and provinces. Taking this opportunity, Daejeon City expects to accelerate local special zone development projects.

Provided by Daejeon City

According to Daejeon City on the 9th, the Ministry of Economy and Finance decided at an emergency economic ministers' meeting chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister held the previous day to delegate the authority for minor changes in research and development special zone development projects from the central government (Minister of Science and ICT) to local governments (mayors and governors of cities and provinces).

Minor changes are limited to less than 10% of the project area or under 30,000 square meters, so they do not substantially affect the existing project plans.

However, until now, even if minor changes occurred during the special zone development projects, approval from the Minister of Science and ICT, who has the authority to approve development plans, was required, making procedural delays unavoidable.

But going forward, with the authority for minor changes delegated to the mayors and governors, Daejeon City explains that a basis has been established to swiftly proceed with projects without the previous procedural delays.

Locally, it is expected that projects such as the 'International Science Business Belt Hub District Development Project' and the 'Taprip-Jeonmin District National Industrial Complex Development Project' will gain momentum immediately.

Furthermore, Daejeon City anticipates that rapid project implementation will also be possible in future projects such as the 'Hagi District Special Zone Development Project' and the 'Advanced Biomedical Innovation District Development Project.'

In this regard, the Ministry of Science and ICT plans to revise the Special Zone Act Enforcement Decree in the first half of next year and to ensure that prompt approvals for minor changes can be made even before the revision.

Lee Jang-woo, Mayor of Daejeon City, said, “The delegation of the authority for 'minor changes' in research and development special zone development projects has been an issue that Daejeon City has consistently proposed,” adding, “With this delegation decision, it is expected that a groundbreaking development plan for District 1 (Research Complex), which has been stalled for a long time, will be possible.”