• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.288-310
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• 2017

This paper aims to provide a conceptual framework to see the special zones in East Asia in relation to the territorialities of the state. For this, it will introduce Aihwa Ong's notion of 'spaces of exception', and provide some critical discussions on it. Unlike Ong, I do not see the spaces of exception as an outcome of neoliberal changes of the state. Instead, I propose to see the special zones in terms of the internal limitations of the modern state territoriality. In particular, I try to theorize the special zones in relation to the dialectics of the contradictory relations between mobility and fixity inherent in the territoriality of the modern nation state. In addition, it will be suggested to see special zones as an essential part of the spatiality of the East Asian developmental states, given the spatio-temporal contexts of the East Asian capitalist development. On the basis of these theoretical discussions, this paper will divide the special zones that have been developed in East Asia since the 1960s into 3 different types, including 1) developmentalist special zones, 2) neo-liberal special zones, and 3) special zones for transition, and discuss their characteristics.

• 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.

• 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 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 Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.33-44
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• 2017

This study investigated in the vascular plants of special protection zones (the native land of Berchemia berchemiaefolia in Sadam-ri and Gallon valley) of Songnisan National Park and identified the whole vascular plants. The numbers of vascular plants were summarized as 273 taxa including 82 families, 182 genera, 236 species, 3 subspecies, 28 varieties and 6 forms. Woody plants were identified as 124 taxa (45.4%) and herbaceous plants as 149 taxa (54.6%). A total of 107 taxa were identified in the area of Sadam-ri, and 246 taxa were found in the Gallon valley. A total of 8 taxa of rare plants were identified, each of which was divided into 1 taxa of endangered (EN; Daphne pseudomezereum var. koreana), 3 taxa of vulnerable (VU; Paeonia japonica, Berchemia berchemiaefolia and Iris minutiaurea), 3 taxa of least concern (LC; Aristolochia contorta, Syringa patula var. kamibayshii and Goodyera schlechtendaliana) and 1 taxa of data deficient (DD; Alangium platanifolium). The Korean endemic plants were 9 taxa (Clematis trichotoma, Thalictrum actaefolium var. brevistylum, Aster koraiensis, Cirsium setidens, etc.). In the specific plants by floristic region were 34 taxa, a degree I were 17 taxa (Chloranthus japonicus, Celastrus stephanotifolius, etc.), 9 taxa of a degree II (Euonymus pauciflorus, Acer triflorum, etc.), 4 taxa of a degree III (Aconitum longecassidatum, Angelica gigas, etc.), 2 taxa of a degree IV (Ulmus macrocarpa and Daphne pseudomezereum var. koreana), 2 taxa of a degree V (Berchemia berchemiaefolia and Alangium platanifolium). The naturalized plants were 5 taxa including Fallopia dumetorum, Trifolium repens, Ailanthus altissima, Oenothera biennis, Erigeron annuus. Naturalization rate (NR) was 1.8% of all 273 taxa of vascular plants and the invasive alien plants were not found. The purpose of this study is to identify the flora that grows in the special protection zones of Songnisan National Park and provide the basic data for the management of the special protection zone in the future.

• Journal of Korean Tunnelling and Underground Space Association
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.563-573
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• 2015

For hard rock subsea tunnels the most challenging rock mass conditions are in most cases represented by major faults/weakness zones. Poor stability weakness zones with large water inflow can be particularly problematic. At the pre-construction investigation stage, geological and engineering geological mapping, refraction seismic investigation and core drilling are the most important methods for identifying potentially adverse rock mass conditions. During excavation, continuous engineering geological mapping and probe drilling ahead of the face are carried out, and for the most recent Norwegian subsea tunnel projects, MWD (Measurement While Drilling) has also been used. During excavation, grouting ahead of the tunnel face is carried out whenever required according to the results from probe drilling. Sealing of water inflow by pre-grouting is particularly important before tunnelling into a section of poor rock mass quality. When excavating through weakness zones, a special methodology is normally applied, including spiling bolts, short blast round lengths and installation of reinforced sprayed concrete arches close to the face. The basic aspects of investigation, support and tunnelling for major weakness zones are discussed in this paper and illustrated by cases representing two very challenging projects which were recently completed (Atlantic Ocean tunnel and T-connection), one which is under construction (Ryfast) and one which is planned to be built in the near future (Rogfast).

• 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.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.31-36
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• 2019

New technologies are being created and resulted as new types of fusion complex as the barrier between technology and industries are being broken and convergence is becoming more activated in the global economy of the era of fourth industrial revolution. Korea government is trying to foster innovative technologies for new technologies and new services to prepare for the fourth industrial revolution and gain global competitiveness, but many regulations make it difficult to verify and commercialize them. In response, the Korea government is pushing for the introduction of a regulation-free special zone system in which sandboxes are applied so that new technology and new service-based innovation projects can be freely commercialized through experiment and demonstration. This study aims to examine the limitations of the special zones for regional specialization development applied to the zones that are applied uniformly throughout the country and suggest ways for the deregulation special zone to be fostered as an empirical test bed based on new technologies and as a base for regional innovation.