Yanggu County Accelerates Development of Specialized Model
Preparing for Competition in Peace Economy Special Zone Designation
A Blueprint for a "Peace Economy Special Zone"
Featuring Sports, Ecology, and Smart Agriculture
Yanggu County in Gangwon Province is taking steps to secure a new growth engine for the development of border areas by seeking designation as a "Yanggu-style Peace Economy Special Zone" ahead of the Ministry of Unification’s establishment of the "Basic Plan for Peace Economy Special Zones."
Yanggu County is conducting policy research on the "Direction for Creating a Yanggu-style Peace Economy Special Zone" through a collaborative project with the Gangwon Research Institute. Through this initiative, the county is gradually laying the groundwork for a strategic response to secure future designation as a Peace Economy Special Zone.
This research is being pursued proactively in response to the full implementation of the "Act on the Designation and Operation of Peace Economy Special Zones" in December 2023, which has accelerated the national-level designation of Peace Economy Special Zones focused on border areas. Notably, Cheorwon County and Goseong County in Gangwon Province have already completed feasibility studies for the creation of such zones, and competition for designation is expected to intensify following the establishment of the Ministry of Unification’s basic plan.
In preparation for the possibility of designation, Yanggu County is working with the Gangwon Research Institute to establish a "Yanggu-style specialized model" tailored to local conditions and development potential, and to develop a competitive proposal for the special zone.
This study focuses on key topics including: ▲ analysis of the Peace Economy Special Zone system and its implementation framework ▲ comparison with initiatives undertaken by other local governments ▲ analysis of similar special zones and specialized districts (such as border area specialized districts and regional specialized development zones) ▲ and the presentation of a specialized model reflecting the unique characteristics of Yanggu County.
The core of the research is to propose a "Yanggu-style Peace Economy Special Zone model" that leverages the county’s distinctive assets-such as sports, ecology, tourism, and smart agriculture-in connection with the basic concept of the Peace Economy Special Zone. The aim is to create a virtuous cycle of regulatory relaxation, industry attraction, tourism revitalization, and expansion of residential infrastructure.
Based on the results of this study, Yanggu County plans to actively respond to the Ministry of Unification’s basic plan and the comprehensive plan of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, and to use the findings to establish strategies and phased roadmaps to secure the validity of the special zone designation.
On December 19, Yanggu County visited the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province Unification Plus Center to discuss the establishment plan for the Yanggu-style Peace Economy Special Zone and future implementation strategies.
A Yanggu County official stated, "The Peace Economy Special Zone is a national strategic project that comprehensively transforms the regulatory structure, industrial system, transportation and logistics, and residential environment of border areas. Yanggu County is preparing for the special zone as a long-term regional growth strategy through continuous research and systematic planning."
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