Central Dispute Mediation Committee reaches unanimous decision after seven rounds of deliberation and a site visit

Reclaimed land at the Saemangeum "Smart Waterfront City" development in North Jeolla Province [Saemangeum Development Authority]
Reclaimed land at the Saemangeum "Smart Waterfront City" development in North Jeolla Province [Saemangeum Development Authority]

The Ministry of Interior and Safety announced Monday that it has assigned jurisdiction over two parcels of maritime reclaimed land — the "Saemangeum New Port Development Project reclaimed land" and the "Saemangeum New Port breakwater reclaimed land" — to Gunsan in North Jeolla Province.

Under Article 5 of the Local Autonomy Act, the process for determining jurisdiction over reclaimed land begins when the authority that issued the reclamation license, or the head of a relevant local government, files a formal application.

When no objections are raised, the minister of interior and safety decides in accordance with the application. When local governments disagree, however, the matter is referred to the Central Dispute Mediation Committee for deliberation and a binding decision.

The two parcels in question are sections of the Saemangeum New Port that have already been reclaimed. The port is being built to strengthen the industrial competitiveness of the Saemangeum zone and develop it into a hub port for the Yellow Sea rim. The reclaimed land is slated for use as port berthing facilities, a management wharf, access roads, breakwaters and fishing vessel protection facilities.

The head of the Gunsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries filed a jurisdiction application with the Ministry of Interior and Safety in January, after which Gunsan, Gimje and Buan-gun each submitted competing claims. The committee opened its deliberations in February.

Over seven rounds of deliberation and one site visit, the committee heard from the heads and deputy heads of the three local governments, relevant civil servants, and officials from the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries — which oversees the Saemangeum New Port — as well as the Gunsan Regional Office of Oceans and Fisheries, the Saemangeum Development Authority and North Jeolla Province.

The committee reviewed the criteria for determining jurisdiction over reclaimed land established in prior Supreme Court rulings — including efficient use of new land, proximity to neighboring areas, the location of natural features and man-made structures, administrative efficiency, residents' lifestyle convenience, and interests lost through reclamation. After deliberation, it voted unanimously to assign jurisdiction to Gunsan.

Taking note of the recurring sharp conflicts among local governments bordering the Saemangeum zone, the committee took the unusual step of appending a message to its decision urging the parties to move away from confrontation and work toward cooperation, expressing hope that Saemangeum will grow into a global hub for new industries.

Once the Ministry of Interior and Safety notifies the relevant local governments of the decision, they will conduct a completion inspection of the reclaimed land and register it in the cadastral records for ongoing management.

Any local government wishing to contest the decision may file a lawsuit with the Supreme Court within 15 days of receiving notification.


thlee@heraldcorp.com