Key facts
- South Korea's defense ministry will lift or ease restrictions in military protection zones.
- The affected areas total approximately 6.53 million square meters.
- Restrictions will be completely removed in Goseong, Sokcho, Pyeongtaek, Goyang, and Yongsan.
- Residents will gain new freedoms to build or expand structures.
- Development restrictions will be eased in Siheung.
The South Korean defense ministry announced on Monday that it will lift or ease restrictions in military protection zones, covering an area equivalent to 10 times the size of Seoul's Yeouido. This initiative aims to address public inconveniences and foster balanced regional development.
Specifically, restrictions will be completely lifted in five regions: Goseong County and Sokcho city in Gangwon Province, Pyeongtaek and Goyang cities in Gyeonggi Province, and Seoul's Yongsan Ward. These military protection zones are designated by the defense chief for the protection of military bases and operations. With the lifting of these designations, residents will be able to construct new buildings or expand existing ones without requiring prior consultation with the military.
The ministry plans to remove restrictions on a combined 6.39 million square meters of land around Goseong and Sokcho, as well as a 137,000-square-meter zone in Yongsan. Additionally, a zone affecting 1.33 million square meters in Pyeongtaek will be lifted, following the relocation of a U.S. Forces Korea (USFK) ammunition storage facility to accommodate a new international town project.
Furthermore, development restrictions will be eased on 17,000 square meters of land in Siheung, transitioning it from a restricted zone to a limited protection zone. This move is part of the ministry's broader strategy to reduce development constraints in military protection zones, thereby increasing civilian access and responding to resident complaints. Last month, the ministry had already signaled its intent to readjust boundaries along the inter-Korean border and gradually ease or lift military protection zones.