Gov"t Announces Nationwide Development Plan

The government announced an ambitious plan for the development of the entire nation on September 9. The National Development Planning Institute (NDPI), a subsidiary of the Ministry of Construction and Transportation, held a forum on this issue of balanced development and announced its plans for the 21st century.
According to the announcement, the government's development plan would divide Korea into six major zones. These zones are composed of three sea zones including the western sea, eastern sea and southern sea zone and three zones that would span the entire nation including Inchon-Kanleung, Kunsan-Pohang and Pyongyang-Wonsan, in consideration of the post-unification era. The western sea zone would be developed as an industrial base and eastern sea and southern sea zones as tourism sites.
The basic premise behind the redevelopment scheme is balance in a plan that encompasses the regions from Seoul to Pusan. To do so, the government will develop local cities, making their functions specialized, for example, certain cities for scientific technology, a specific industry, arts and culture and computer software. The government intends to induce the introduction of foreign high-tech companies into Seoul and neighboring regions and to move domestic companies to local regions if possible.
Meanwhile, the government will construct new infrastructure including roads and railways. International airports will be built in Muan, South Cholla province and Yangyang, Kangwon province. The high speed railways linking Seoul to Pusan and Cholla provinces will be also be completed as soon as possible.