‘폐광지역 개발지원에 관한 특별법’의 쟁점과 법적 과제

Issues and Legal Problems of the ‘Special Act on the Assistance to the Development of Abandoned Mine Areas

Coal made a great contribution to the initial economic growth of the nation as one of the primary family fuels and domestic energy-saving resources. When coal mines were developed, those regions was heavily reliant on demand for coal. However, since the coal industry promotion steps, the mining areas to be devastated rapidly and their economy fell into bed. As a result, Korean government enacted the special law named Special Act on the Assistance to the Development of Abandoned Mine Areas . The Purpose of this Act is to promote the economy of abandoned mine areas that is depressed following the decline of the coal industry and to help balanced regional development and to improve the living standard of the residents in such abandoned mine areas. And abandoned mine areas means an area in which coal mines were or are located and its neighboring area, and the regional economy of which is severely depressed due to the mine closure or to reduced coal production. According to this Act, if necessary to promote the economy of an abandoned mine area that is difficult to induce other industries among abandoned mine areas, the Minister may designate an abandoned mine area promotion district upon request from the Do Governor. By this, abandoned mine areas have a special exception, such as designation of promoter, development of first grade zone on ecology and nature map, environmental impact assessment, application of Management of Mountainous Districts Act , application of Tourism Promotion Act , And Kangwonland , which is the only casino that is allowed for korean people, was established in 2003.