Gyeonggi Governor Choo Mi-ae called for national-level compensation and support for the border regions of northern Gyeonggi, which have long been bound by regulations due to national security. In particular, she formally proposed to the government that the Peace Economic Zone project be designated as an inter-Korean cooperation project to boost its momentum.
Choo made these proposals to Unification Minister Chung Dong-young, related ministries, and heads of border-area local governments at the "Second Border Area Peace and Safety Joint Meeting" held on the morning of the 27th at the Government Complex Seoul. The meeting was held on the 73rd anniversary of the armistice agreement, providing a forum to discuss the significance of border regions and their future development direction.
"The Republic of Korea's standing has changed greatly since the armistice agreement was signed," Choo said. "We now have the capacity to actively overcome the structural constraints created by division." She stressed, "We must no longer view border regions only as spaces of regulation and sacrifice, but recognize them anew as zones of peace."
She explained that residents of border regions have long endured restrictions on property rights and development delays for the sake of national security. "The principle that 'special sacrifice deserves special compensation' must not remain a mere declaration," she said. "We need practical support measures that residents can actually feel."
Choo also referred to recent discussions on adjusting the Civilian Control Line and minimizing military facility protection zones. "Now that the way has opened for regulatory easing, this is the right time to begin northern Gyeonggi's development strategy in earnest," she said, requesting that "border-area issues such as the creation of the Peace Economic Zone be reviewed in a forward-looking manner."
Her key proposal was to designate the Peace Economic Zone project as an inter-Korean cooperation project. If the project is approved as an inter-Korean cooperation project, it would become possible to utilize the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund and provide financial support such as guarantees and loans to companies moving in and investing. It would also open the possibility of inclusion among projects exempt from preliminary feasibility studies, potentially speeding up the project.
"The success of the Peace Economic Zone depends on attracting anchor companies," Choo said. "Bold and differentiated incentives are needed to draw corporate investment." She added, "I hope the discussions at this meeting lead to actual policies and projects so that border-area residents can feel the change."
Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said, "The proposal to designate the Peace Economic Zone as an inter-Korean cooperation project is a very meaningful point." He also expressed his intention to review ways to use the Inter-Korean Cooperation Fund as a funding source to support Peace Economic Zone infrastructure.
Choo also raised the issue of returned U.S. military bases. She proposed that, considering the fiscal conditions of relevant local governments such as Dongducheon and Uijeongbu, the Ministry of National Defense use the sites through low-cost leasing rather than selling them.
The meeting was attended by the Ministry of Unification, the Ministry of National Defense, and the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, as well as Gyeonggi Province, Incheon, Gangwon Province, and the heads of 10 cities and counties in border regions. Participants discussed measures for sustainable peace maintenance and regional economic revitalization in border regions.
