"‘Gangwon 4 Areas Absolute Farmland Release’... First Exercise of Authority Since Special Self-Governing Province Launch"

‘Gangwon Special Act' Key Agricultural Land Exception: First Nationwide Designation of ‘Rural Vitality Promotion District’
No ‘No-Development’ Zones within Major Project Sites in Gangneung, Cheorwon, Yanggu, and Inje
Governor Kim: “Authority to Release 12 Million Pyeong of Absolute Farmland... Hope Cities and Counties Take Active Interest”

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Kim Jin-tae) held the Future Industry Global City Comprehensive Plan Deliberation Committee (Chairman Governor Kim Jin-tae) on the 30th and announced the initial designation of the 'Rural Vitality Promotion District,' a key element of the Gangwon Special Act's farmland exception, in a total of four areas: Gangneung, Cheorwon, Yanggu, and Inje. This was achieved just four months after the enforcement of the Gangwon Special Act on June 8, 2024.

Jin-tae Kim, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (center in the photo), held a comprehensive plan review meeting for the Future Industry Global City on the 30th and designated the "Rural Vitality Promotion District," a key element of the Gangwon Special Act's farmland exception, for the first time in four areas: Gangneung, Cheorwon, Yanggu, and Inje. The photo shows the comprehensive plan review meeting for the Future Industry Global City held on the 30th.

The Rural Vitality Promotion District is an area where development was previously prohibited due to regulations on agricultural promotion areas (formerly absolute farmland). With this district designation, it is now possible to revitalize rural areas and develop underdeveloped regions, thereby creating rural vitality.

The four designated districts (Gangneung, Cheorwon, Yanggu, Inje) plan to establish the Gangneung Hyangho Local Garden, Cheorwon Hak Reservoir Sports Facilities, Yanggu Ha-an-myeon Local Garden, and Inje Indigenous Fish Industrialization Center. Of the total project site of 143 hectares (ha), agricultural promotion areas account for 61 hectares (ha, 43%). Since the agricultural promotion areas within the Rural Vitality Promotion District can be directly released by the governor’s authority, rapid project implementation is expected.

Previously, releasing agricultural promotion areas required final approval from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, making it difficult to proceed at the scale needed by local regions due to farmland preservation policies considering food security.

Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Governor Kim Jin-tae is making a resolution to designate a total of four areas?Gangneung, Cheorwon, Yanggu, and Inje?as the first "Rural Vitality Promotion Districts" at the comprehensive plan review meeting for Gangwon Province's Future Industry Global City held on the 30th.

The four designated districts this time were no exception. Despite efforts since 2017 to promote the Yanggu Ha-an-myeon Local Garden project, progress was hindered by the agricultural promotion area designation. Similarly, the Cheorwon Hak Reservoir Sports Facilities project faced difficulties despite multiple consultations with related ministries regarding the release of agricultural promotion areas.

However, the Gangwon Special Act farmland exception has simplified procedures and shortened project periods, enabling more flexible and efficient development plans that reflect local residents’ demands to the maximum extent. As a result, previously delayed project plans can now benefit through the Rural Vitality Promotion District.

Meanwhile, along with the farmland exception, the 'Forest Utilization Promotion District,' the nation’s first and only forest regulation relaxation area, is currently under consultation and revision with related agencies according to relevant laws, and preparations are underway for deliberation by the Future Industry Global City Comprehensive Plan Deliberation Committee for district designation within the year.

Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, said, “This is a historic day marking the first exercise of authority after the enforcement of the Gangwon Special Act,” adding, “Gangwon Province has obtained the authority to release 12 million pyeong of absolute farmland for three years on a temporary basis. This time, 180,000 pyeong was released from applications by four cities and counties, but there is still a long way to go.” He continued, “Gangwon Province is actively encouraging cities and counties to release absolute farmland, and it is expected that seven districts will apply for the second Rural Vitality Promotion District.”