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 the case of local areas including Ulsan, even if the Greenbelt has a high preservation grade, we will make it easier to utilize if there is economic necessity and citizen demand."
Regarding the Greenbelt, President Yoon explained, "It has played a significant role in promoting orderly and efficient development so far. However, 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 there have been many cases where attempts to establish advanced industrial complexes to create jobs and vitality in local areas were blocked by the Greenbelt.
Yoon: "Greenbelt standards will be lowered even for high preservation grades"
President Yoon emphasized, "During the last presidential election, I promised the citizens that Ulsan's Greenbelt would be boldly released. I will definitely keep that promise."
He also mentioned, "The entire gateway from Ulju-gun to downtown Ulsan is Greenbelt. Ulsan became a metropolitan city, and it has been almost 30 years since the integration with Ulju. In the past, the Greenbelt was supposed to be on the outskirts of the city, but now it crosses right through the middle of the integrated city."
President Yoon said, "We will eliminate the uniform regulations that blocked development just because the altitude is high or the slope is steep. For land near railway stations or existing urban infrastructure, no matter how high the preservation grade is, we will lower the standards to allow easier and more economic utilization." He hinted at 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 itself to overseas markets. However, to operate vertical farms, one must obtain individual exclusive permits or temporary use permits. We will also lift these regulations," he promised.
President Yoon mentioned that usage regulations on leftover farmland arising from industrial complexes, residential land, and road development processes must be lifted. He explained, "Ulsan has over 20 million pyeong of farmland, and nearly 30% of it is designated as agricultural promotion areas. Even if we lift usage restrictions on leftover farmland with reduced agricultural value, advanced facilities such as experience centers or vertical farms that leverage the advantages near large cities can be established." He added, "Innovating farmland use regulations will not only advance agricultural modernization but also help prevent rural extinction and contribute greatly to balanced national development."
President Yoon also ordered a comprehensive survey of 336 types of land use regulations from 12 ministries and local governments, urging the swift abolition of outdated regulations that do not keep up with changing times.
Shipbuilding, Automobile, Petrochemical Industries↑... Full Mobilization of Policy Measures
He also emphasized the government's commitment to policy support to elevate the international competitiveness of Ulsan's traditional heavy industries such as shipbuilding, automobiles, and petrochemicals. President Yoon said, "Above all, to upgrade the international competitiveness of Ulsan's traditional core industries?shipbuilding, automobiles, and petrochemicals?we will mobilize all policy measures. We will also actively attract large-scale foreign investment projects like the 'Shaheen Project.'" The Shaheen Project is a petrochemical production facility construction project worth 9 trillion won by S-Oil, finalized during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to Korea in 2022.
He further stated, "We will boldly push forward the Ulsan-type education development special zone that closely links Ulsan's industrial and educational foundations."
President Yoon Suk-yeol is speaking at the "Thirteenth Public Discussion on Livelihoods - Again Korea! A New Leap for Ulsan and Korea" held on the 21st at the Ulsan Exhibition & Convention Center in Ulju-gun, Ulsan. [Image source=Yonhap News]
On the same day, Bang Gi-seon, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, announced detailed plans to expand land use freedom, including Greenbelt regulation reform and farmland regulation improvements. During the subsequent discussion, participants including businesspeople, research institute researchers, 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.
A self-employed participant at the discussion said, "Except for the old downtown, the entire Jung-gu district of Ulsan where I live is Greenbelt. I ask that regulations on the Greenbelt be boldly lifted to revitalize nearby commercial areas and allow ordinary people like me to live well." In response, President Yoon replied, "Don't worry. The Greenbelt was created for our people to live well, so if it causes inconvenience to living well, we will lift it."
A citizen working at HD Hyundai Heavy Industries suggested, "If a KTX stop is established in downtown Ulsan, Ulsan citizens will be able to conveniently travel to Seoul." President Yoon responded, "In the past, taking a taxi from Ulsan Station cost 17,000 to 18,000 won. Every time I come to Ulsan, taxi fares are expensive, which I think is unreasonable. We will quickly proceed to alleviate the inconvenience for Ulsan citizens."
Ulsan Mayor Kim Du-gyeom also took the microphone. Mayor Kim said, "It seems the president is giving not just one but several bundles of gifts. The president always says he wants to make local areas livable everywhere, but in reality, the ministries do not listen well." He added, "However, perhaps because of occasions like today, all government ministries are cooperating well and aligning with the president's governance philosophy, for which I am very grateful."
About 60 people from various fields and age groups, including business leaders such as Do Seok-gu, CEO of LS MnM, and Kim Hye-yeon, CEO of Nsing, farmers, self-employed individuals, Meister high school students, and research institute researchers, attended the discussion. Government officials included Bang Gi-seon, Director of the Office for Government Policy Coordination; Han Hoon, Vice Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs; Kim Du-gyeom, Mayor of Ulsan Metropolitan City; and from the Presidential Office, Policy Chief Sung Tae-yoon and Senior Secretary for Economic Affairs Park Chun-seop were present.
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