• Journal of Urban Science
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.11-21
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• 2018

Abstract: Korea has designated free economic zones to build the foundation for national economic development by setting up special economic zones to be more competitive in cities. On August 5, 2003, the government designated Songdo, Yeongjong and Cheongna districts in Incheon as free economic zones. But while the development should have been completed nearly three years before the end of the development, the development has been slow and the population, foreign direct investment and other business results are far from the initial plan. Therefore, in this study, we will investigate the various problems occurring in the Incheon Free Economic Zone, investigate the causes of the problem, and then compare and analyze the Incheon Free Economic Zone and China's special economic zones. The two institutions share similar characteristics in many areas, but the Incheon Free Economic Zone system has yet to be settled, as the special economic zone has played a significant role in economic development in China. Therefore, the study is expected to find a solution to the problems of the free economic zones in Incheon and provide directions for future development.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.15-24
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• 2014

This research investigates the characteristics, principles, advantages, factors and problems of cluster development in Kazakhstan, and identifies the prerequisites, conditions and stages of organizing clusters on the framework of special economic zones. In this research, we used methods, which will allow analyzing of the organization industrial clusters in special economic zones in Kazakhstan. The author studied international experience of cluster development and the efficiency of the use of the model of the "rhombus effect" with account the specific features of interaction between the participants of the cluster, analysis of the legal framework for the formation and development of clusters. These have been identified as the more important or strategically necessary clusters in Kazakhstan: innovation-technological cluster, innovation-education cluster, innovation-petrochemical cluster, innovative-metallurgical cluster, transport and logistics cluster, textile industry cluster, tourism cluster, agro cluster, construction cluster, medical and pharmaceutical cluster. Firstly, the results suggest that the interaction of science, education, business and government in the development and implementation of innovation policy is not sufficiently structured to provide a balanced representation of the interests of the range of various innovative enterprises in Kazakhstan. Secondly, the legal basis of cluster development in Kazakhstan is determined. Need to develop mechanisms for the implementation of promising direction. Thirdly, the clusters can be formed in the existing special economic zones, allowing them to get right to the mass production of high-tech products that are developed.

• Journal of Contemporary Eastern Asia
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.278-297
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• 2021

Despite competing strategical interests over Southeast Asia that have emerged in the last decade, with the launch of wide scope geopolitical strategies Chinese and Japanese initiatives have been characterized by a certain degree of implicit coordination, particularly in offering support to the Myanmar state's territorializing strategies for economic development. The case of the Thilawa Special Economic Zones (SEZ) is exemplary, as it was a Japan-led project which became a model and benchmark example for similar development initiatives supported by the People's Republic of China.

• The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Business
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.15-27
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• 2022

The paper addresses the importance of redesigning strategies for resilient and sustainable regional economic development - by applying strategic approaches to free economic zones for the digital economy. The purpose of the paper is to provide a broad comparative perspective on developed versus developing country efforts to use free economic zone programs to enhance various economic and social objectives. First, the paper introduces the chronicle experiences of free economic zone programs in South Korea and mainland China - developed versus developing economies. The main results of the analysis indicate that (1) achieving the goals and objectives of free economic zones is challenging over time; (2) trying to upgrade the technical component, develop knowledge-based and eco-friendly new industries, or value-added to the economy through free economic zone policies is even challenging; and (3) incentives and other program-specific variables are highly context-specific and not structurally correlated with free economic zone performance. In addition, the paper shows that the initial conception of the role of free economic zones has undergone significant change as individual countries have tried to enhance the contributions and avoid damages from incorporating free economic zones into their development strategy respectively, over time.

• KDI Journal of Economic Policy
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• v.37 no.sup
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• pp.87-121
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• 2015

To attract more FDI inflows, the Korean government has designated several special economic zones (SEZs), offering various advantages and support to the FDI. There is, however, a shared acknowledgement that those efforts have gained little reward. In this regard, this paper empirically analyzes company-level performances of labor productivity, operating profit ratio, propensity to invest and innovate, etc. and then conducts regression analysis and PSM analysis to see whether these performances are meaningfully different between foreign-invested firm and domestic firm and between foreign-invested firms. The main findings of this paper are as follows. First, in the aspects of labor productivity and operating profit ratio, no empirical evidence was found to support the hypothesis that foreign-invested firm outperforms domestic firm in efficiency and profitability, Second, in the aspects of propensity to invest, foreign-invested firms in foreign investment zones outperformed domestic firms. Third, in the aspect of R&D investment, overall, foreign-invested firms showed a stronger propensity to invest than domestic firms, but there is no empirical evidence that high propensity to invest was driven by the policy on special economic zones. In the aspect of investment in educational training, empirical evidences were found that the role of foreign-invested firms outside the special zones turned out to be the strongest and that among firms inside special zones, it was those in the free economic zone that outperformed domestic firms. Lastly, foreign-invested firms showed a stronger propensity to employ than domestic firms, but there is no empirical evidence that high propensity to employ was driven by the policy on special economic zones.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Marine Environment & Safety
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2014

In recent years, Chinese government established 4 pilot zones at Shandong, Zhejiang, Guangdong, Fujian. The national marine development pilot zones policy is formed in order to promote development of Chinese marine economy, as if Chinese government selected 4 special economic zones as the policy experiment areas for economic structural reform at the beginning stage of reform and opening-up. This article utilizes the policy-making theory of Incrementalism Model and aims at searching for the essence, historical formation process, implementation state, implications of 4 Chinese marine economic development pilot zones policy. Moreover, the prospect of their future development is analyzed. The marine pilot zone policy has the following features: new development model with advanced industries and sciences & technology, highly civil participation, plural policy goals. These research results would be able to contribute not only to getting better understanding of China's marine industry policy, but also to drawing lessons for the construction of Korea's marine economic special zone in the viewpoint of policy transfer.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.31-46
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• 2021

In South Korea, there is a growing domestic need for a biotope map which contains ecological and environmental geographic information of a city. After the production of a Urban Ecological Maps(biotope map) by the Seoul metropolitan government in 2000, Natural Environment Conservation Act was revised in 2017 to make it mandatory for a local government to draw up its own urban ecological map. The aim of the present study was to find out ways to utilize an urban ecological map as a mean of communication between natural environment planning and urban planning sectors in a preliminary stage before introducing a big framework of 'environmental and ecological planning.' The northern area of Incheon metropolitan city was selected as the target area for this study. The major research content includes a comparative analysis of special-purpose zones, urban planning zones, restricted development zones, and conservation forests with focus on biotope types and Grades 1 of 'Biotope Type Assessment.' Farmland biotopes and forest biotopes within an area designated as an urban zone (residential, commercial and industrial zones) need to be redesignated as a zone which can conserve them. Especially considering a high possibility of damage to a large scale of natural green areas, these areas need to be readjusted immediately. If the entire area designated as an urban planning zone is to be developed, it is likely to cause serious damage to natural biotopes in the area (56.2%), including farmland biotope (30.4%), forest biotope (15.0%) and grassland biotope (10.8%), and thus, readjustment is needed. In case of a conservation forest, as it can possibly be damaged by the designation of special-purpose zones, it is necessary to match the designation of conservation forests or a special-purpose zones with their biotope types. In conclusion, we present a variety of thematic maps for utilization of an urban ecological map and propose a phase-specific environmental and ecological plan. Phase 1 is the establishment of a urban plan in consideration of ecological status; Phase 2 is the independent establishment of an environmental and ecological plan by an environment department; Phase 3 is an integrated management of ecological planning system and urban planning system.

• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.269-287
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• 2017

While Jeju Free International City was promoted to overcome the economic crisis and build a new national competitiveness in the era of globalization, its development vision as 'the hub city of Northeast Asian economy in the $21^{st}$ century' has not been realized. This paper argues that Jeju Free International City to aim for the 'ideal free market model', 'neoliberal space of exception', and 'a new testing ground for neoliberal deregulation policies' has failed due to worsening of socioeconomic and environmental contradictions, growing conflicts in local community, and the logic of equity enforced by the central government. To support this claim, this article reviews the theoretical discussions of special economic zones, examines the shifts in the development visions of Jeju Free International City, and analyzes how Jeju has become a space of exception with the introduction of various exceptional policies and spatial mechanisms.

• Journal of Environmental Policy
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.31-49
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• 2003

It is difficult to examine the causal relation of pollution damages because the time gap between pollution cause and effect is large and new pollutants are continuously being produced. Their many environmental effects are not promptly studied. As both the study of causal relation about pollution and the pollutant treatment are becoming highly advanced by the development of science and environmental technology, both the economy and balance on environmental regulation may be discussed. It is reasonable to decide environmental policy in consideration of close relation between both the generation and resolution of environmental problems and of technological developments because environmental problems are related to complicated social problems and scientific technologies. First item in policy decision about environmental control and management is preferentially to consider the way of prevention. It is necessary to prevent pollution by regulating the installment of environmental pollution facility into the environmentally sensitive areas, like water supply source and to regulate land utilization as a method to achieve pollution prevention. Second is a consideration of environmental technology development. This is a solution which can accomplish the development of environmental technology and the reinforcement of economic competition. Third is the coexistence of environment and economy. It is necessary to consider economy in connection with environmental problems and environment in economic problem. Then, we can enjoy a healthy life as well as economic affluence. Fourth is the enlargement of environmental management means. Environmental management means must be diversified because environmental cause and effect are varied. For Improving the land use regulation system, it is necessary to consider both land use regulation status and pollutant toxicity with the development of environmental technology. Land use must be approached by classifying land to 3 levels; water source protection zone and water front zone, special zone 1 and 2, rancus and other zones. Land regulation policy to prevent any accident in water source protection zone, waterfront zone, and special zone must be continuously upgraded. However, economical consideration in other zones is required by the development of environmental technology.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.235-258
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• 2011

Our country is operating designating the 6 free economic zones. Korea has designated fixed areas as economic special zones and made their management and living conditions equivalent to the level of advanced countries they are to support. One-Stop Service for the administrative demands that require the assistance at a national level in foreign investment, education, finance etc. However, these free economic zones are modified by regional development projects rather than inviting foreign capital. For the free economic zones to be operated effectively, the following methods should be followed: first, active management support activities should be constructed for the purpose of attracting foreign capital, second, a business model specifically designed to attract foreign capital should be implemented, third and finally, the independence and professionalism for the free economic zones should be strengthened.