Expansion of Restaurant Use Permits
Supporting the Livelihoods of Long-Term Residents in Joan-myeon
On August 14, Namyangju City in Gyeonggi Province (Mayor: Joo Kwangdeok) announced that it will officially begin expanding permits for restaurant use conversions within the Paldang Water Source Protection Zone in Joan-myeon to support the livelihoods of long-term residents.
Previously, since 2022, the city has proactively launched a research project to designate additional environmental maintenance zones in Joan-myeon, laying the groundwork for regulatory easing through on-site surveys, collection of resident opinions, and expert consultations.
As a result of thoroughly reviewing the livelihood conditions of long-term residents and systematically preparing regulatory relaxation measures during this process, the city officially requested Gyeonggi Province to designate additional environmental maintenance zones in October last year.
After gathering further resident feedback, the additional designation was confirmed in January this year, and the official topographic map notification was also completed.
Accordingly, the city plans to establish a permit system for converting existing houses in the newly designated environmental maintenance zones to restaurant use, aiming to provide a practical foundation for self-reliance to long-term residents who have sustained their livelihoods for decades under various regulations.
The city plans to allow a total of 17 restaurant use conversions across each sewage treatment area, with eligibility limited to long-term residents who own existing houses within the environmental maintenance zones as of the announcement date.
The relevant plan will be announced in August, with applications to be accepted in September. After an eligibility review, successful applicants will be selected, and in the case of competition, a lottery system will be used.
Mayor Joo Kwangdeok stated, "This plan is a measure to provide a practical livelihood foundation for local residents who have suffered under long-standing regulations," emphasizing, "Its significance lies in expanding institutional mechanisms that enable long-term residents, who were born and raised in the area, to achieve self-reliance."
Meanwhile, since Joan-myeon was designated as a water source protection zone in 1975, development and economic activities have been restricted, weakening residents' livelihood foundations and causing a vicious cycle of younger generations repeatedly leaving the area.
This expansion of restaurant use permits is expected to serve as a mutually beneficial example of regulatory improvement that reflects these local realities, greatly contributing to enhancing residents' quality of life and strengthening the sustainability of the local community.
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