SEOUL — In a significant policy shift, President Yoon Suk Yeol announced Wednesday plans to ease restrictions on "greenbelt" zones to facilitate the construction of advanced industrial facilities. Speaking at a public debate in Ulsan, a city renowned for its shipbuilding and automotive industries, Yoon committed to revising the standardized clearance criteria for greenbelt zones for the first time in two decades.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the revision aims to address critical barriers that have hindered the development of greenbelt areas, thereby enabling their use for economic purposes when deemed necessary. The announcement was made during the 13th government-public debate on livelihood issues, emphasizing the government's focus on balanced regional development and economic growth.
Yoon's strategy includes modifying farmland use regulations to support innovative agricultural practices and community development projects. The Office for Government Policy Coordination, along with the ministries of land and agriculture, outlined a comprehensive plan to reduce land use restrictions imposed by various government bodies.
The government's initiative to relax greenbelt regulations reflects a broader effort to unlock land for the development of cutting-edge industries, particularly in noncapital areas, tailoring the approach to the specific needs of local governments.