Jeong Heeyong and Ministry of SMEs and Startups Discuss Designation Plan for Goryeong County "Daegaya Historical and Cultural Special Zone"

Promotion of a Regional Specialized Development Special Zone Linked to UNESCO World Heritage Inscription and Ancient Capital Designation
Need for Special Zone Designation Befitting the Status of the Daegaya Royal Capital
To Be Pursued in Close Consultation with Goryeong County and the Ministry of SMEs and Startups

National Assembly member Jeong Heeyong (People Power Party, representing Goryeong County, Seongju County, and Chilgok County in North Gyeongsang Province) announced that on the 10th he met at the National Assembly with an official in charge of special zone operations at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to discuss measures to designate Goryeong County's (provisional) Daegaya Historical and Cultural Special Zone.

Rep. Jeong Heeyong is meeting with an official in charge of special zone operations at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to discuss plans to designate Goryeong County's (provisional name) Daegaya Historical and Cultural Special Zone. Photo by Kim Ihwan

The "Regional Specialized Development Special Zone" system operated by the Ministry of SMEs and Startups is a scheme that designates zones so that basic local governments can promote projects suited to regional characteristics by utilizing 129 regulatory exceptions listed in the Special Act on the Designation and Management of Special Zones for Specialized Regional Development. Since its introduction in 2004, a total of 171 special zones are currently being operated nationwide.

In the constituency of Assemblyman Jeong Heeyong, Seongju County was designated as a special zone for the oriental melon industry in 2006, and Chilgok County was designated as a special zone for the beekeeping industry in 2008. These designations have produced results such as increasing farm household income, enhancing brand value, and revitalizing the local economy. However, Goryeong County has not yet been designated as a special zone.

In response, Assemblyman Jeong met with an official in charge of special zone operations at the Ministry of SMEs and Startups to propose the designation of the (provisional) Daegaya Historical and Cultural Special Zone, with the aim of re-highlighting the historical and cultural value of Goryeong County, which was the center of Daegaya, and promoting regional revitalization based on its historical and cultural resources. He also requested an active role from the Ministry.

Regarding this, the Ministry of SMEs and Startups stated, "The Regional Specialized Development Special Zone system should serve as a priming water to enhance regional brand value and drive local economic revitalization," adding, "To secure the designation of Goryeong County as a special zone, we will actively support the process by consulting with Goryeong County on the establishment of a specialized special zone plan, the application, and other related procedures."

Assemblyman Jeong said, "Goryeong County is emerging as a true Daegaya historical and cultural city, with the Jisan-dong Ancient Tombs being inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2023 and the planned designation of Daegaya as an ancient capital in 2025," and added, "I will work in close consultation with the local government and relevant government authorities for the designation of the special zone so that Goryeong County can grow into a leading South Korean city of world heritage, history, and culture, befitting its status as the Daegaya royal capital for 520 years."