The relevant regulations have been eased to allow ordinary citizens, not just those engaged in agriculture or fisheries, to build single-family homes in agricultural and forestry areas.
On June 24, the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport announced that the Cabinet had approved a revision to the Enforcement Decree of the Framework Act on the National Land Planning and Utilization containing these changes.
Until now, under the Farmland Act, residential construction was permitted only in certain areas such as agricultural protection zones. With this revision, anyone can now build a single-family home on a plot of less than 1,000 square meters in agricultural and forestry areas, except for conservation forests or agricultural promotion zones. The Ministry expects that this will encourage more people, including urban residents, to spend weekends in rural areas for leisure activities or to move to rural communities, thereby increasing the resident population. It is estimated that approximately 1.4 million parcels nationwide will be affected by this relaxation.
The building coverage ratio limit in agro-industrial complexes will be eased from 70% to 80% if adequate infrastructure is in place. This applies if roads and water and sewage systems specified by ordinance are secured or if the city planning committee has reviewed the case. This will allow tenant companies to expand production facilities or secure additional storage space without having to purchase more factory land.
A new concept of "protected village zones" will be introduced in rural villages. Currently, "natural village zones" can accommodate factories or large livestock facilities, which may negatively impact residential environments. In protected village zones, however, the establishment of factories or large livestock facilities will be restricted. The Ministry expects that facilities such as nature experience centers could become sources of income for the villages.
The requirement to obtain a development activity permit when dismantling and reinstalling structures has also been relaxed. If the land's form is not altered and the work remains within the scope of the original permit, no additional permit will be required. In addition, the obligation to always hear residents' opinions when changing local government growth management plans may now be omitted. These regulatory amendments will take effect immediately upon promulgation. Lee Sangjoo, Director-General for Land and Urban Policy at the Ministry, stated, "We expect this to expand regional economic activity and contribute to local jobs and investment."
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