Inje-gun, Absolute Farmland Deregulation Within the 'Native Fish Species Industrialization Center' Project Site

Gangwon-do Designates Deoksan-ri Area in Inje-gun as 'Rural Vitality Promotion Zone' on 30th
'Native Fish Species Center' Delayed by Regulations Likely to Be Built by 2026

Inje-gun, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Governor Choi Sang-gi) announced on the 30th that the Deoksan-ri area in Inje-gun has been designated as the country's first Rural Vitalization Promotion District, giving momentum to regional development. At the comprehensive plan review meeting for the Future Industry Global City of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province held on the same day, the Deoksan-ri area in Inje-eup was designated as a Rural Vitalization Promotion District.

The designation of the Rural Vitalization Promotion District is a special case applied under the Gangwon Special Act, allowing the governor to revoke the agricultural promotion area (absolute farmland) within a range of 4,000 hectares for development. Through this, various developments such as building housing, commercial, and sports facilities, which were previously restricted due to farmland regulations, will become possible, raising expectations for increased land utilization.

An aerial view of the 'Native Fish Species Industrialization Center' being promoted in Deoksan-ri, Inje-gun, which Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province designated as a 'Rural Vitality Promotion District' that can be developed by lifting the 'Agricultural Promotion Area (Absolute Farmland)' restriction on the 30th.

With this designation, Inje-gun plans to revise its management plan to revoke 77,567㎡ of agricultural promotion area and change its use to planned management area, accelerating the establishment of a regional growth base for fostering specialized industries and integrated urban development.

Accordingly, Inje-gun will be able to construct a Native Fish Industrialization Center at Deoksan-ri 964-45 by 2026. A total project cost of 18.1 billion KRW, including 10.8 billion KRW in national funds secured through the Ministry of Environment’s eco-friendly clean project competition in 2020, will be invested to build a research facility with a total floor area of 4,500㎡.

The center will be equipped with seed cultivation facilities for native fish production, intermediate breeding facilities, and research and restoration facilities for seed reproduction of fish species whose populations are declining. The facility is expected to produce up to 5 million fish annually of 10 species including Ssogari (Korean perch), Dongjagae (Korean bullhead), and Miyugi (Korean dark sleeper), contributing to the increase of native fish in the upper Soyangho Lake and the restoration of the aquatic ecosystem.

Furthermore, research and development, production, and river release of economically viable native fish species are expected to revitalize inland fisheries and increase fishermen’s income, thereby positively impacting the local economy.

Additionally, there are plans to gradually establish exhibition halls and convenience facilities to provide attractions for local residents and visitors, and to transform the area into leisure and convenience facilities for residents by creating parks, walking trails, and sports facilities.

An official from Inje-gun stated, “Starting with the designation of the Rural Vitalization Promotion District, we will accelerate deregulation and regional development and implement development strategies that residents can feel.”