Korea's Free Economic Zone as an Economic Development Strategy and Operational System

경제발전전략으로서 한국의 경제자유구역과 운영체계에 관한 연구

Purpose - After Korea's Free Economic Zone (FEZ) system was launched in 2003, there have been many debates about upgrading it and its support systems. However, as of 2013, there were insufficient results. Further, upon the designation of the East Coast and Chungbuk as official FEZs from February 4, 2013 by the 56th the Commission, there is a concern that many people are in the area designated as FEZ 8. This study investigates Korea's new FEZ system as part of Korea's primary new economic development policy in the 21st century. Therefore, this study examines views on the weaknesses of the past ten years of FEZs so that Korea can expand its FEZ system. Research design, data, and methodology -Many countries have considered the FEZ as an economic special zone. By reviewing previous research models, this study provides an update using recent data and materials, until 2013, from the Center of Free Economic Zones. In previous studies, the lack of support systems was attributed to proposals to ensure operational autonomy and differentiation of each FEZ; however, the main cause cannot be solved through regulatory issues, as difficulties caused by the operational system are responsible for the problems. We wish to analyze the FEZ, specifically the operational system; this is the main issue of this study. Results - After the first FEZs were established, it became necessary to have basic plans, as investment results in 2013 compared to the same period this year led to lower earnings in the first half of 2014. We propose an improvement of the operational system because in the free economic zones, the operational system is the root cause of the underlying problem. The results of this research are as follows. The weak management of the FEZ system is influenced by weak investment, delayed development, foreigners' living facilities, benefits of foreign investments, the control tower's policy making decision process, quickness of the process of satisfying legal requirements, and support For the independence of FEZs. Conclusion - Local governments do not have legal rights over FEZ deregulation and investment industries. This study suggests that the local government should have more independence from the central government. Moreover, independent management committees are more effective for ensuring public rights, better employee responsibilities, and better-qualified personnel. The FEZ committee struggles to effectively manage the locations of FEZs, foreign investments, and related facilities under the control of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Thus, the FEZ committee should be under either the Prime Minister's office or the Presidential committee, to control and effectively coordinate between the local and central governments. If the problem clearly applies to the operational system in 2013, it is necessary to provide materials and methods so that the results of the first half of 2014 can be computed despite the data limits and lack of resources, and the data can be analyzed in a more diachronic thesis.