One of the Four Areas Where 'Absolute Farmland' Was Lifted as the First Exercise of Authority under the Gangwon Special Act
"Residents Begin Exercising Property Rights... Expecting Improved Quality of Life"
Kim Jin-tae, Governor of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, visited Cheorwon County (County Head Lee Hyun-jong) on the 4th to personally check the progress and development plans of the rural vitality promotion district, which was designated last week as the first of its kind in Korea under the Gangwon Special Act, and to listen to voices from the field.
The rural vitality promotion district involves lifting the designation of agricultural promotion areas (absolute farmland) where only farming is allowed, to promote various development projects. Last week, through the comprehensive plan review meeting for the future industry global city, four rural vitality promotion districts in four cities/counties?Gangneung, Inje, Yanggu, and Cheorwon?were confirmed, and the designation is scheduled to be officially announced within this month.
Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Governor Kim Jin-tae (left in the photo) visited Cheorwon County, which was designated as the first Rural Vitalization Promotion District in Korea last week under the first exercise of authority of the Gangwon Special Act, on the 4th. He listened to the current status and development plans from Cheorwon County Mayor Lee Hyun-jong on site. Photo by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Office
The site Governor Kim visited this time is the rural vitality promotion district in Odeok-ri, Dongsong-eup, Cheorwon. Since 2021, Cheorwon County has been conducting basic planning research, detailed design work, and resident briefings to enhance residents' leisure activities, but has faced difficulties in consultations with related agencies regarding the lifting of agricultural promotion area designations.
However, with this district designation, all 17,000 pyeong around Hak Reservoir have been released from the agricultural promotion area designation, and by 2027, 9.4 billion KRW will be invested to create sports facilities such as a park golf course, community plaza, and local food sales center, along with connected convenience facilities.
In particular, the park golf course is planned to be operated with an eco-friendly management system, and by connecting the visitor flow with the trail around Hak Reservoir, it will provide sightseeing, entertainment, and resting spaces for both district users and tourists.
Governor Kim said, “Cheorwon County has 105% of its farmland area designated as absolute farmland, including mountains and rivers at the farmland boundaries, making it very difficult to build anything.” He added, “Now, residents of Cheorwon can enjoy the joy of exercising their property rights directly, and with the expansion of sports facilities equipped with community functions, the quality of life for residents is expected to improve significantly.”
Governor Kim also urged, “Since this project reflects the opinions of local residents, please carefully ensure that the project proceeds smoothly as originally planned.”
Meanwhile, the total area of agricultural promotion land that Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province can lift under the special law exemption is 12 million pyeong, and the authority to exercise this power lasts for three years. The province plans to promote applications for the second round of rural vitality promotion district designations by December to further enhance rural vitality.
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