Yoon: "Greenbelt Release Criteria Revised After 20 Years... Expanding Economic Value Creation"

President Yoon Chairs 13th Public Livelihood Forum
Emphasizes Innovation in Farmland and Land Use Regulations

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 21st, "We must expand the creation of economic value by efficiently combining labor, capital, and technology through improvements in the regulations on greenbelt areas and farmland use."

At the 13th Public Livelihood Discussion held in Ulsan that afternoon, President Yoon emphasized, "When promoting strategic industries in which regions have comparative advantages, we will greatly guarantee autonomy so that the total amount of greenbelt release by region is not restricted, and we will completely reform the uniform release standards, which have been a decisive obstacle to greenbelt release, for the first time in 20 years."

He also introduced the government’s policy to innovate farmland regulations for the advancement of high-tech agriculture. President Yoon explained, "Smart farms and vertical farming are fields where agricultural technology itself can create high added value. Additionally, we will ease regulations on leftover farmland that arises during the development of industrial complexes, residential sites, and roads, enabling the establishment of advanced agricultural facilities such as experience centers or vertical farms, as well as welfare facilities for residents like schools, hospitals, and libraries."

[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon further stated, "Land use regulation reform is absolutely necessary to open an era of 'a livable local era,' which is a core national agenda of the government," and urged, "Conduct a full survey of 336 types of land use regulations across 12 ministries and local governments, and promptly abolish outdated regulations that fail to keep up with the times." He also emphasized the government’s commitment to policy support aimed at elevating the international competitiveness of Ulsan’s traditional key industries such as shipbuilding, automobiles, and petrochemicals to the next level.

Bang Ki-seon, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, announced detailed plans to expand freedom of land use, including the reform of greenbelt regulations and improvements in farmland regulations. In the subsequent discussion, participants including businesspeople, researchers from government-funded institutes, farmers, self-employed individuals, students, and citizens shared diverse ideas and opinions on regional development under three themes: ▲ revitalizing industry through greenbelt release ▲ improving farmland regulations for agricultural advancement ▲ creating livable, business-friendly cities.

About 60 people from various fields and age groups attended today’s discussion, including business leaders such as Do Seok-gu, CEO of LS MnM, and Kim Hye-yeon, CEO of N-Sing, as well as farmers, self-employed individuals, Meister High School students, and researchers from government-funded institutes. From the government, Bang Ki-seon, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; Han Hoon, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; and Kim Du-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City attended. From the Presidential Office, Sung Tae-yoon, Chief of Policy Office, and Park Chun-seop, Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs, were present.