Yoon: "Greenbelt Release Criteria Revised for the First Time in 20 Years... Will Change If There Is Economic Need" (Comprehensive)

Presiding Over the 13th Public Discussion in Ulsan
Comprehensive Survey of 336 Land Use Regulations
"Boldly Promote Ulsan-type Education Development Special Zone"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the "Public Livelihood Discussion with the People - Thirteenth Session, Korea Again! A New Leap for Ulsan and Korea" held on the 21st at the Ulsan Exhibition & Convention Center in Ulju-gun, Ulsan City.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

President Yoon Suk-yeol stated on the 21st, "We will completely overhaul the uniform criteria for Greenbelt release, which has been a decisive obstacle, for the first time in 20 years."

At the 13th Public Livelihood Discussion held in Ulsan that afternoon, President Yoon said, "In regions including Ulsan, even if the Greenbelt has a high preservation grade, we will make it easier to utilize if there is economic and citizen demand."

Regarding the Greenbelt, President Yoon explained, "It has played a significant role in promoting orderly and efficient development, but as our country's industry and cities have grown dramatically, the situation has changed a lot compared to 50 years ago." He pointed out that attempts to establish advanced industrial complexes to create jobs and revitalize local areas were often blocked by the Greenbelt.

President Yoon emphasized, "During the last presidential election, I promised citizens that Ulsan's Greenbelt would be boldly released, and I will definitely keep that promise."

He also mentioned, "The entire route from Ulju-gun to downtown Ulsan is Greenbelt. It has been almost 30 years since Ulsan became a metropolitan city and merged with Ulju. In the past, the Greenbelt was supposed to be on the outskirts of the city, but now it cuts through the middle of the integrated city."

President Yoon said, "We will eliminate the uniform regulations that blocked development simply because the altitude is high or the slope is steep," and "We will lower the standards so that land near railway stations or existing urban infrastructure can be economically utilized more easily, regardless of the preservation grade." He indicated plans to promote policies that expand economic value creation by efficiently combining labor, capital, and technology through improvements in Greenbelt and farmland use regulations.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the "Public Livelihood Discussion - Thirteenth Session, Korea Again! A New Leap for Ulsan and Korea" held on the 21st at the Ulsan Exhibition & Convention Center in Ulju-gun, Ulsan. The livelihood discussion included a joint report from government ministries on land regulation improvements and discussions among participants.
[Image source=Yonhap News]

He also introduced the government's policy to innovate farmland regulations for the development of advanced agriculture. President Yoon said, "Smart farms and vertical farming are fields that can create high added value not only through agricultural products but also by exporting agricultural technology overseas," adding, "However, to operate vertical farms, one must obtain individual exclusive-use permits or temporary use permits. We will also lift these regulations."

President Yoon mentioned the need to ease usage restrictions on leftover farmland generated during industrial complex, residential site, and road development. He explained, "Ulsan has over 20 million pyeong of farmland, and nearly 30% of it is designated as agricultural promotion areas. Even if we ease restrictions on leftover farmland with reduced agricultural value, advanced facilities like experience centers or vertical farms that leverage the advantages near large cities can be established." He emphasized, "Innovating farmland use regulations will not only advance agricultural modernization but also help prevent rural extinction and contribute greatly to balanced national land development."

President Yoon also ordered a comprehensive survey of 336 types of land use regulations across 12 ministries and local governments, urging the swift abolition of outdated regulations that do not keep pace with changing times.

He reaffirmed his commitment to policy support aimed at elevating the international competitiveness of Ulsan's traditional core heavy industries such as shipbuilding, automobiles, and petrochemicals. President Yoon stated, "Above all, we will mobilize all policy means to upgrade the international competitiveness of Ulsan's traditional core industries?shipbuilding, automobiles, and petrochemicals?and boldly push forward the Ulsan-type educational development special zone that closely links Ulsan's industrial and educational bases."

On the same day, Bang Gi-seon, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, announced detailed plans for expanding land use freedom, including Greenbelt regulation reform and farmland regulation improvement. During 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 a livable, business-friendly city.

The discussion was attended by about 60 people from various fields and age groups, including Do Seok-gu, CEO of LS MnM, Kim Hye-yeon, CEO of Nthing, farmers, self-employed individuals, Meister high school students, and researchers from government-funded institutes. Government officials present included Bang Gi-seon, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; Han Hoon, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Kim Du-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City; and from the Presidential Office, Policy Chief Seong Tae-yoon and Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs Park Chun-seop.