The business community has welcomed the government's regulatory rationalization plan for "ultra-wide area special zones" and urged prompt legislation.

On the 23rd, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) released a statement saying, "It is welcome that a direction has been presented to pursue ultra-wide area special zones as a core national strategy to break the vicious cycle of concentration in the capital area and regional extinction, while resolving on-site difficulties such as licensing."

The KCCI added, "The success of ultra-wide area special zones ultimately depends on whether companies and talent can gather and root an industrial ecosystem. As discussions on related bills have begun in the National Assembly, we expect that the voices of the field will be faithfully reflected in the legislative process, and a system that does not lag behind competing countries will be established as soon as possible."

The Korea Enterprises Federation (KEF) also expressed a welcome, stating, "At a time when revitalizing the local economy and securing future growth engines are urgent, we actively sympathize with the government's promotion plan for creating ultra-wide area industrial ecosystems such as robots, semiconductors, and AI data centers."

The KEF stated, "In particular, since the success of ultra-wide area special zones depends on 'speed' and 'flexibility,' the business community actively welcomes the government's regulatory rationalization measures—such as special labor hour exceptions for high-income R&D personnel, the introduction of a fast-track licensing system for semiconductors, and the establishment of foundations for robot demonstration and commercialization—as essential measures to secure global competitiveness."

The KEF requested that extensive regulatory exceptions and support systems, including the Ultra-Wide Area Special Zone Act, be swiftly legislated through the National Assembly's discussion process.

The Federation of Korean Industries (FKI) emphasized, "We hope that the Ultra-Wide Area Special Zone Act, which includes special exceptions for R&D personnel working hours, will be smoothly processed in the National Assembly so that the zones can be successfully promoted," adding, "The business community will also communicate smoothly with the government and work together to revitalize local investment."

On the same day, the government held the 2nd Regulatory Rationalization Committee plenary meeting presided over by President Lee Jae-myung, and decided to push for the enactment of related laws with the goal of designating one ultra-wide area special zone in each region nationwide by the first half of next year.

Ultra-wide area special zones are a system that bundles multiple local governments into a single wide-area economic zone to foster high-tech industries. Under this approach, when local governments and companies prepare a special zone plan, the government concentrates on shortening approval processes and providing financial, tax, and fiscal support.

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]