Regulatory Innovation Through Lifting Greenbelt Restrictions
and Achievements in Creating a 100,000-Resident City in the Southern Region
On April 29, Ulju County in Ulsan was selected in the Future Innovation City category of the 'Korea Creative Management 2025' awards.
Lee Sungul, Ulju County Governor, is receiving the 'Korea Creative Management 2025' award in the Future Innovation City category. Provided by Ulju County
'Korea Creative Management' is hosted by JoongAng Ilbo and jointly sponsored by major central government ministries, including the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups. Since 2009, it has recognized local governments and companies that have contributed to Korea's balanced development by securing a foundation for sustainable growth.
In its 8th popularly elected term, Ulju County has set "Ulju, Happiness That Permeates My Life" as its administrative vision and is currently pursuing 97 key projects across five major areas: implementing citizen-centered trustworthy governance, establishing a welfare city with robust support where needed, creating a cultural and tourism city where people want to stay, leading sustainable innovative growth, and building a pleasant and dignified city. In particular, the county is carrying out a variety of projects aimed at future innovation to achieve sustainable regional development.
Since 2022, Ulju County has been working toward urban development by adjusting greenbelt zones. The county has analyzed and reviewed available land based on the current status and conditions of local greenbelt areas, and has established rational management plans linked to government regulatory innovation measures such as the lifting of greenbelt restrictions.
Starting in April 2025, Ulju County has been conducting a basic plan for the development of a hinterland city and an urban management plan (including amendments) to facilitate the practical lifting of greenbelt zones. Going forward, the county plans to encourage population inflow and promote balanced regional development by securing residential land and supplying sites for industrial facilities.
In addition, Ulju County is gradually implementing public-private development projects to create a new city in the southern region where 100,000 people can reside. Private urban development projects are underway in four districts around Onyang-eup, and three joint housing projects, including apartment complexes in the Energy Convergence General Industrial Complex, are also being implemented.
Furthermore, Ulju County plans to enhance residential convenience by expanding infrastructure such as transportation networks, living convenience facilities, and public facilities within urban development zones. The county will also provide administrative support, including assistance with permits for smooth housing supply, as well as tax and financial benefits. At the same time, Ulju County is focusing efforts on developing the station area around Namchang Station on the Donghae Nambu Line.
Through the development of the Donghae Nambu Line station area, which will be anchored by residential, educational, cultural, and commercial functions, Ulju County aims to strengthen competitiveness with neighboring cities and contribute to balanced regional development by establishing a new hub.
Beyond urban infrastructure, Ulju County will also expand the installation of intelligent CCTVs to create a safe, crime-free living environment. By the first half of 2026, the county plans to sequentially replace outdated CCTVs and newly install more than 250 intelligent CCTVs, establishing a comprehensive crime prevention system.
Ulju County is also establishing itself as Korea's leading "Drone Standard City" in the future drone industry.
Following its selection as a drone special liberalization zone and a drone demonstration city, Ulju County was chosen for the second consecutive year in 2025 for the "K-Drone Delivery Commercialization Support Project," hosted by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport and organized by the Korea Institute of Aviation Safety Technology, and is implementing projects such as drone delivery services.
In addition, Ulju County is leading the next-generation drone industry by operating drone services that residents can experience in their daily lives, including wildfire monitoring, patrols in vulnerable areas, crackdowns on illegal farmland reclamation, and drone-assisted pollination.
Governor Lee Sungul stated, "I am pleased that Ulju County's efforts for future innovation have been recognized through the Korea Creative Management award," and added, "We will not rest on our laurels but will continue to implement proactive policies so that Ulju County can further develop into a city where happiness permeates the lives of our 230,000 residents."
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