Final Decision Assigns 'Saemangeum New Port' Reclaimed Land to Gunsan City, Jeonbuk State

[Financial News] It has been decided that a portion of the offshore reclaimed land at Saemangeum New Port, over which Gunsan City, Gimje-si, and Buan County have disputed jurisdiction, will fall under the jurisdiction of Gunsan City.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) announced on the 7th that it had decided that Gunsan City, Jeonbuk State, would be the local government responsible for the 'Saemangeum New Port development project offshore reclaimed land' and the 'Saemangeum New Port breakwater and other offshore reclaimed land.'
This decision applies not to the entire Saemangeum New Port, but to a specific section where land reclamation has been completed. The site is scheduled to be used for port facilities, such as berthing facilities, management piers, access roads, and breakwaters, as well as fishing vessel protection facilities.
The process for determining jurisdiction began when the head of the Gunsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries applied to MOIS last January. Subsequently, as Gunsan City, Gimje-si, and Buan County each submitted their opinions, deliberation by the Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments began last February.
The Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments conducted seven rounds of deliberation and one site visit. It heard opinions from the heads and deputy heads of local governments and relevant officials of Gunsan City, Gimje-si, and Buan County, as well as the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF), the Gunsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency (SDIA), and Jeonbuk State.
The Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments comprehensively reviewed the efficient use of new land, proximity to neighboring areas, the location of natural topography and artificial structures, administrative efficiency, convenience for residents, and benefits lost due to land reclamation. These factors are criteria suggested in previous Supreme Court of Korea rulings to be considered when determining jurisdiction over reclaimed land.
After such a review, the Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments unanimously approved a proposal to place the reclaimed land under the jurisdiction of Gunsan City.
However, the jurisdictional dispute has not completely ended. Gimje-si has protested the decision and announced plans to file a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of Korea. Under the Local Autonomy Act, a local government that objects to the decision may file a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of Korea within 15 days of receiving notification.
Once MOIS notifies the relevant local governments of the decision, Gunsan City will register and manage the land in the cadastral register after conducting a completion inspection of the reclaimed land.
The Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments also unusually urged that "considering the recurring conflicts between regions adjacent to Saemangeum, we must avoid inter-regional confrontation and develop Saemangeum into a global hub for new industries through consultation and cooperation."

[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter