Gyeonggi Province Selects Six Outstanding Regulatory Rationalization Cases; Semiconductor Cluster Regulation Reform Named Top Case

Gyeonggi Province selected six cases as outstanding examples of regulatory rationalization for the second half of 2026, including a proposal by the Semiconductor Industry Division that led to improved regulations on eligibility to apply for designation as a semiconductor cluster. The proposal was named the top case.

The evaluation covered cases involving improvements to central and local regulations pursued by the province from March through September 2026. The province conducted a comprehensive assessment of the unreasonableness of the regulations, efforts to improve them, the results of institutional reforms, their impact on residents and businesses, and their potential to be adopted more widely.

The Semiconductor Industry Division, which received the top award, improved a provision that would have limited eligibility to apply for cluster designation to areas outside the Seoul metropolitan region during the process of drafting the enforcement decree of the Special Act on Semiconductors. The province repeatedly called for the provision to be deleted through joint proposals with cities and counties, visits to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the National Assembly, and consultations with relevant agencies. As a result, the restriction was removed from the enforcement decree promulgated on August 11, laying the institutional groundwork for balanced industrial development in the Seoul metropolitan and non-metropolitan regions.

Gyeonggi Provincial Government

Five other cases were selected as outstanding examples: improving regulations on recycling agricultural byproducts from school meal programs; laying the groundwork for regional development by rationalizing regulations in military facilities protection zones; revitalizing improvement projects in settlements where development-restricted areas have been lifted; establishing a basis for swift recovery by making preliminary review criteria for disaster recovery projects more realistic; and rationalizing restrictions on the use of special transportation services in 31 cities and counties by proposing improvements to standards restricting people with disabilities from riding in the front passenger seat.

The six selected public officials will receive incentives in recognition of their regulatory improvement achievements. Three will receive additional points in personnel evaluations, while the other three will receive an outstanding public service allowance of KRW 100,000 per month for one year.

Gyeonggi Province plans to share the selected cases with cities and counties across the province and relevant departments, and to continue identifying ways to improve similar regulations.

Kim Baeksik, head of Gyeonggi Province's Regulatory Reform Division, said, "The key to regulatory innovation is turning inconveniences identified in the field into tangible institutional changes. We will continue to identify and promote regulatory improvements that residents and businesses can feel in their daily lives."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.