Regional Specialized Development Zones Drive Local Economic Growth... 'Excellence Zone Awards Ceremony' Held

Gyeongju 'Youth Sports Special Zone' Wins Presidential Award
"Plays a Key Role in Revitalizing Local Economies Facing Extinction Threat"

The Ministry of SMEs and Startups announced on the 10th that it held the ‘2024 Excellent Regional Specialized Development Zones Awards Ceremony’ at the Gyeongju Hwabaek Convention Center. The event recognized and encouraged local government officials who have led regional development despite the risk of regional extinction.

Alcheon Stadium in Gyeongju, Gyeongbuk. Gyeongju City Official Website

At the awards ceremony, a total of nine awards were presented, including one Presidential Award, two Prime Minister Awards, and six Minister of SMEs and Startups Awards. Among 169 specialized zones nationwide, Gyeongju in Gyeongbuk’s ‘Youth Sports Special Zone’ was selected as the best special zone and received the Presidential Award. Despite the population decline, Gyeongju City established the country’s first air dome soccer field to support children and youth in enjoying sports. Additionally, by utilizing special exceptions under the ‘Road Act,’ ‘Road Traffic Act,’ and the ‘Act on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and Promotion of Outdoor Advertising Industry,’ they strengthened soccer tournament promotions and enhanced tourist convenience, leading to regional economic growth.

The ‘Arirang 5-Day Market Special Zone’ in Jeongseon, Gangwon, and the ‘Jikji Cultural Special Zone’ in Cheongju, Chungbuk, which received the Prime Minister Awards, developed regional cultures with historical and traditional significance into global tourism products. The Arirang 5-Day Market Special Zone in Jeongseon, Gangwon, created the Jeongseon Arirang Market through regulatory exceptions related to the ‘Liquor License Act’ and the ‘Agricultural Products Quality Control Act.’ Notably, Jeongseon Arirang, the first intangible heritage of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and registered as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, was produced as a musical performance and participated in the Adelaide Fringe Festival in Australia, receiving positive responses.

The Jikji Cultural Special Zone in Cheongju, Chungbuk, showed achievements such as the establishment of the UNESCO International Centre for Documentary Heritage (ICDH), the world’s first international organization in the field of records, and the promotion of museum specialization projects last year. Based on Jikji, which was registered as a UNESCO World Documentary Heritage in 2001, they utilized regulatory exceptions related to the ‘Road Traffic Act’ and the ‘Act on the Management of Outdoor Advertisements and Promotion of Outdoor Advertising Industry’ to hold urban regeneration festivals and continued efforts for regional revitalization.

Additionally, the ‘Herbal Medicine and Medicinal Herb Industry Special Zone’ in Sancheong, Gyeongnam; the ‘Seomyeon Shoe Industry Growth Hub Special Zone’ in Busanjin-gu, Busan; the ‘Miracle-Medi Special Zone’ in Gangseo-gu, Seoul; the ‘Seomjingang Train Village Special Zone’ in Gokseong-gun, Jeonnam; the ‘Humanities Education Traditional Garden Special Zone’ in Damyang-gun, Jeonnam; and the ‘Clean Strawberry Industry Special Zone’ in Nonsan-si, Chungnam, received the Minister of SMEs and Startups Awards.

Lee Gui-hyun, Head of the Special Zone Innovation Planning Group at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups, said, “Regional Specialized Development Zones play a very important role in revitalizing local economies at risk of extinction, but since the system was introduced 20 years ago, there are cases where it does not fit the changed environment and conditions, so a new turning point is needed.” He added, “Next year, we will spare no support to ensure that many local small business owners and SMEs participate and that specialized zones can become the focal point of regional economic growth by introducing private-led projects.”