Gapyeong County Added as Peace Economy Special Zone... Balanced Development of Tourism and Industry Expected

County Initiates Full-Scale Creation of Special Zone
with Launch of Basic Plan Establishment Service

Gapyeong County in Gyeonggi Province has established a legal foundation to be additionally designated as a "Peace Economy Special Zone." Companies moving into the special zone will be offered various benefits, such as streamlined licensing procedures and tax reductions, which are expected to help Gapyeong County develop into a city where tourism and industry coexist in harmony.

Gapyeong County Holds Autumn Exhibition at Myeongjisan Ecological Exhibition Hall. Photo by Gapyeong County

According to the county, the government approved a partial amendment to the "Enforcement Decree on the Designation and Operation of Peace Economy Special Zones" at a Cabinet meeting held on October 14, which includes the additional designation of Gapyeong County and Sokcho City as Peace Economy Special Zones.

As a result, Gapyeong County announced on October 16 that it will launch a "Basic Plan Establishment Service for the Designation of the Peace Economy Special Zone" in December, aiming to build a specialized development model that leverages the county's strategic resources and geographical strengths.

Through this service, the county plans to develop a Gapyeong-style Peace Economy Special Zone strategy that reflects the region's unique characteristics by utilizing its abundant tourism and forestry resources, as well as its industrial base. The county also intends to cooperate with relevant organizations, including the Ministry of Unification and Gyeonggi Province, to gradually proceed with the designation process for the special zone.

The government introduced the Peace Economy Special Zone system to promote balanced development in border regions and to establish a foundation for inter-Korean cooperation. Companies moving into the zone will be provided with various institutional benefits, such as simplified licensing procedures, tax reductions, and priority construction of infrastructure.

Seo Taewon, Mayor of Gapyeong County, stated, "This amendment to the enforcement decree marks a significant milestone in establishing the institutional foundation for Gapyeong County to become a Peace Economy Special Zone. We will build a specialized Peace Economy Special Zone model where tourism and industry coexist, overcome the crisis of regional extinction, and emerge as a central hub for inter-Korean cooperation."