Gunsan City, Jeonbuk State, Finally Designated as Jurisdiction for Saemangeum New Port Reclamation Site [Comprehensive]

[Financial News] Gunsan City, Jeonbuk State, has been designated as the competent local government for the Saemangeum New Port reclaimed land, over which Gunsan, Gimje-si, and Buan County had been competing for jurisdiction.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) announced on the 7th that the Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments unanimously decided, after seven rounds of deliberation, that Gunsan City would have jurisdiction over the offshore reclaimed land, including the seawall and breakwater, of the Saemangeum New Port development project.
The areas whose jurisdiction was determined this time are the 'Saemangeum New Port Development Project offshore reclaimed land' and the 'Saemangeum New Port breakwater and other offshore reclaimed land.' The former is located offshore in front of Saemangeum Seawall No. 2 and has an area of 227,172.1 square meters.
The reclaimed land is scheduled to be used for port facilities, such as berthing facilities, a management pier, access roads, and breakwaters, as well as fishing boat protection facilities.
The determination of jurisdiction over reclaimed land begins with an application by the reclamation licensing authority or the head of the relevant local government, in accordance with Article 5 of the Local Autonomy Act. If there are no objections to the application, the Minister of the Interior and Safety makes a decision based on its contents. If local governments disagree, the competent local government is determined through deliberation and a resolution by the Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments.
The jurisdictional dispute between Gunsan City and Gimje-si continued until the final decision. After the head of the Gunsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries applied to MOIS in January for a decision on the jurisdiction of the reclaimed land, Gunsan City, Gimje-si, and Buan County each submitted their opinions, and the Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments began deliberations in February.
Through a total of seven deliberations and one site visit, the Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments heard the opinions of the heads and deputy heads of the three cities and counties, as well as relevant officials, who had differing views on the jurisdictional issue. It also heard the opinions of related agencies, including 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, which are involved in managing Saemangeum New Port.
The Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments concluded that the area falls under the jurisdiction of Gunsan City after comprehensively reviewing the criteria for determining jurisdiction presented in previous Supreme Court of Korea rulings, including the efficient use of new land, its contiguity with neighboring areas, the locations of natural topography and artificial structures, administrative efficiency, residents' convenience, and benefits lost through reclamation.
Considering the recurring jurisdictional conflicts between local governments adjacent to Saemangeum, the Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments made an exceptional call for interregional cooperation. The intent is to avoid confrontation between neighboring regions and develop Saemangeum into a global hub for new industries through consultation and cooperation.
Immediately after the decision, Gunsan City issued a statement welcoming the ruling, while Gimje-si strongly protested, saying it could not accept the decision. Although the government's jurisdictional decision has been finalized, the legal battle surrounding Saemangeum New Port may continue. Under the Local Autonomy Act, a head of a local government who objects to the decision of the Minister of the Interior and Safety may file a lawsuit with the Supreme Court of Korea within 15 days of receiving notification of the result. However, no jurisdictional decision previously made by the Central Dispute Mediation Committee for Local Governments has ever been overturned in proceedings before the Supreme Court of Korea.
[email protected] Lee Bo-mi Reporter