Gyeonggi Province: "Welcome Regulatory Reform... But More Needs to Be Done"

"The government's land efficiency plan to strengthen national competitiveness is overdue, but we believe it is a necessary measure."

Gyeonggi Province's position on the government's "Land Utilization Efficiency Plan to Strengthen National Competitiveness," announced on the 30th, can be summed up as an "inevitable measure."

In an official statement released to coincide with the government announcement, the province stated, "We hope that the government will boldly and swiftly abolish the anachronistic and unjust 'Capital Region Restructuring Promotion Act,' which is without precedent in world history, and overlapping regulations that have only plagued the people, so that we can overcome the economic crisis and revitalize the livelihoods of ordinary citizens."

Within provincial government offices on the day, assessments such as "We welcome it. However, it falls short" continued, followed by self-evaluations of regulatory reform efforts to date.

Shortly after the government announcement, the province publicly disclosed detailed information on tasks not reflected in the National Competitiveness Promotion Committee's announcement, emphasizing the need for additional deregulation rather than being satisfied with the outcome. Attention is now focused on the province's response measures going forward.

The province emphasized it will take active steps by dividing tasks into three categories: "abolition of the Capital Region Restructuring Promotion Act as the fundamental regulatory law for the Seoul metropolitan area," "tasks achievable through government will alone," and "tasks requiring National Assembly approval."

First, the province argued that regulations for underdeveloped areas outside the capital region—specifically four counties and one city (Yeoncheon, Gapyeong, Yangpyeong, Yeoju, and Dongducheon)—can be relaxed through amendments to the Enforcement Decree of the revised law. It also plans to recommend allowing new factory establishments in industrial zones within growth management areas.

The province also expressed its position that regulations should be boldly lifted to stimulate the economy, including the abolition of quantity restrictions on industrial land in the Seoul metropolitan area, easing overlapping restrictions in natural conservation areas, and expansion of SK Hynix's Icheon plant.

Regarding tasks requiring National Assembly approval, the province plans to demand the enactment of special legislation for areas surrounding military facilities, the introduction of a maintenance and development district system, exemption from water usage fees for the Paldang Dam for seven cities and counties, and integration of water quality management under local governments.

A province official said, "Through the government's full permission of new factory construction and expansion within industrial complexes, we expect to see some increase in corporate investment and a decrease in companies relocating abroad to escape regulations."