Saemangeum New Port to Fall Under Gunsan City’s Jurisdiction, Government Decides

【Financial News Gunsan = Kang In】 The government has decided that Saemangeum New Port in Jeonbuk Province falls under the jurisdiction of Gunsan City.
According to the Ministry of the Interior and Safety (MOIS) and other sources on the 8th, the government decided the previous day that Gunsan City would have jurisdiction over the newly created reclaimed land and the reclaimed areas around the breakwater created through the Saemangeum New Port development project.
The decision came after a dispute lasting more than four years, with Gunsan City, Gimje-si and Buan County each claiming jurisdiction over the area.
The conclusion was reached after comprehensively considering the areas adjoining the reclaimed land, the connectivity of facilities such as roads and breakwaters, administrative efficiency and benefits to residents. The interests that existing areas would lose because of the new port were also reportedly taken into account.
The area placed under Gunsan City’s jurisdiction totals 258,904 square meters, including 31,731.9 square meters of offshore reclaimed land and 227,172.1 square meters of offshore reclaimed land created for the new port’s development. Berthing facilities, a service pier, an access road, a breakwater and fishing-vessel protection facilities will be built there.
Saemangeum New Port is scheduled to be developed as a nine-berth facility, with six berths capable of accommodating 50,000-ton-class vessels by 2030 and three additional berths by 2040. The project aims to support Saemangeum’s development and establish a hub port in the Yellow Sea region.
Gunsan City immediately welcomed the decision. “Gunsan Port opened the first 100 years of its history 127 years ago. Now, we will open Gunsan’s next 100 years with Saemangeum New Port,” the city said. It also proposed to Gimje-si and Buan County, “Now is the time to put an end to the conflicts surrounding Saemangeum. Let us work together to resolve all ongoing legal disputes in the broader interest.”
However, Gimje-si is dissatisfied with the government’s decision and says it will seek a legal ruling. The dispute is therefore expected to continue for some time.


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