'Gangwon Special Act' Passed in Goseong Plenary Session... Improvement of 4 Major Core Regulations

Governor Designates Forest Utilization Promotion Zone and Rural Vitality Promotion Zone
Enabling the Development of Gangwon Advanced Science and Technology Complex

The amendment to the "Gangwon Special Act" (Special Act on the Establishment of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, etc.), which includes various special measures to revitalize the regional economy of Gangwon Province, passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 25th.

On the same day, the National Assembly held a plenary session and approved the full amendment to the "Special Act on the Establishment of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, etc." with 171 votes in favor, 25 against, and 24 abstentions out of 238 members present. Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province is scheduled to officially launch on the 11th of next month.

The Gangwon Special Act mainly includes improvements and delegation of authority regarding four core regulations?farmland, national defense, forestry, and environment?as well as fostering international-level talent through improvements in the educational autonomy system.

On the afternoon of the 25th, the full revision bill of the Special Act on the Establishment of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province was passed at the National Assembly plenary session. (Photo by Yonhap News)

Specifically, the governor is authorized to designate forest utilization promotion zones and rural vitality promotion zones. Additionally, the authority of the Minister of Environment over environmental impact assessments, small-scale environmental impact assessments, natural landscape impact consultations, and climate change impact assessment reviews is delegated to the governor. However, the duration of these special measures is limited to three years from the date the law takes effect, and the continuation will be decided after an evaluation of the delegation of authority.

To support research and development achievements, commercialization, and startups, the Minister of Science and ICT may designate a research and development special zone upon the request of the Governor of Gangwon Province. Furthermore, the establishment of the Gangwon Advanced Science and Technology Complex has been made possible to promote the development of advanced knowledge industries, related technology research, and the training of specialized personnel.

The amendment to the Gangwon Special Act faced difficulties during the National Assembly discussions. At the full meeting of the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee held on the 16th, the Democratic Party protested against the meeting procedures led by Jang Je-won, a member of the committee from the People Power Party, and boycotted the bill review schedule.

During the plenary session on the day, voices opposing the Gangwon Special Act were raised. Lee Eun-ju, a Justice Party lawmaker who spoke in opposition, criticized, "The amendment to the Gangwon Special Act undermines the existing legal framework and excludes sustainability," adding, "The bigger problem is that this kind of unchecked reckless development law will not end with the Gangwon Special Act."

She further stated, "If this bad precedent called the Gangwon Special Act collapses, a flood of special laws from other regions will follow in the National Assembly," and added, "If that happens, our country's environmental policy will effectively become a state of anarchy."

In response, lawmakers representing Gangwon Province raised their voices in the plenary session, saying things like, "What are you doing right now?"

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.