Donghae City Hosts Forum on Developing Port Hinterland Complex: "Donghae Port Preparing for the Arctic Sea Route Era"

Call for Swift Inclusion of Special Provision for Port Hinterland Complex Designation in the Third Amendment to the Gangwon Special Act
Promotion of a Logistics-Industry Converged 'Port Hinterland Complex'
Gangwon Province and Donghae City Discuss the Necessity of Developing a Port Hinterland Complex at Donghae Port

Donghae City in Gangwon Province will host a forum to discuss strategies for mutual growth between ports and the city, with a focus on Donghae Port, and to emphasize the necessity of developing a port hinterland complex at Donghae Port. The forum, held on September 25 at the Hyunjin Tourist Hotel in Donghae, is jointly organized and hosted by Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, Donghae City, and the Northern Logistics Industry Promotion Agency.

A panoramic view of Donghae City Hall.

Amid recent changes in trade structures due to customs wars and the emergence of the Arctic Sea Route as a new arena for global competition, the logistics order in the Pan-East Sea region is undergoing a major transformation. Donghae Port, located at the shortest distance to the Russian Far East and designated as a national trade port, is drawing significant attention as a strategic hub capable of connecting major markets in Northeast Asia.

In response to these changes, Donghae Port, which has traditionally handled bulk cargo such as cement and coal and contributed to the development of national key industries, is now increasingly seen as needing to transform into a complex logistics port that integrates logistics, manufacturing, and services, rather than simply handling bulk cargo. Developing the area surrounding Donghae Port into a port hinterland complex has been proposed as a solution to this need.

Accordingly, Donghae City has focused on establishing a legal foundation for the development of a port hinterland complex in line with the launch of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. The second amendment to the Gangwon Special Act (2022-2023) ultimately included a special provision for the designation of a free trade zone, and efforts are currently underway to include a special provision for the designation of a port hinterland complex in the third amendment to the Gangwon Special Act.

In the forum, the first presenter, Professor Chu Bongseong of Soonchunhyang University, will outline key challenges and policy directions for pioneering the Arctic Sea Route and propose a phased strategy for the development of Donghae Port. The second presenter, Professor Ahn Woochul of Kangwon National University, will highlight Donghae Port's potential in the era of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province and stress the need to establish an institutional foundation for the development of a port hinterland complex, focusing on the Gangwon Special Act.

During the subsequent discussion, representatives from the province and city, as well as the presenters, are expected to reach a consensus on the need to establish an institutional basis that would allow for the designation of small-scale port hinterland complexes, taking into account the unique conditions and characteristics of Gangwon Province.

Shin Youngsun, Director of Economic and Industrial Affairs for Donghae City, stated, "Through this forum, we aim to once again highlight the necessity of developing a port hinterland complex at Donghae Port. We will do our utmost, including cooperating with relevant agencies, to ensure that the third amendment to the Gangwon Special Act, which contains the special provision for the designation of a port hinterland complex as its legal foundation, passes the National Assembly as originally proposed."