Military Protection Zones 150 Times the Size of Yeouido to Be Lifted; Civilian Control Line Also Reduced

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Areas where development has been restricted due to their proximity to military facilities will be de-designated, covering an area 150 times the size of Yeouido. Additionally, the Civilian Control Line (CCL) near the Military Demarcation Line will be moved, reducing the average distance from the demarcation line from 8 km to within 6 km. The government plans to lift these restrictions sequentially starting next year, and specific locations will be announced shortly before implementation to prevent real estate speculation.

National Defense Correspondent Kim Tae-hoon reports.

[Reporter]

The Ministry of National Defense announced that, starting next year, restricted protection zones around military units nationwide will be significantly lifted based on the principle of "minimum necessity."

The plan is to designate only essential areas as protection zones and lift restrictions on all others.

[Ahn Gyu-back / Minister of National Defense: As a result, we expect to lift restricted protection zones covering an area approximately 150 times the size of Yeouido.]

The Civilian Control Line (CCL), which restricts civilian access near the Military Demarcation Line, will also be moved significantly northward.

Currently, the CCL extends to an average of 8 km south of the Military Demarcation Line, but this will be reduced to within an average of 6 km.

Areas that were previously "controlled protection zones"—where even access was strictly regulated—will become "restricted protection zones," allowing for freer access and eased development restrictions.

The Ministry of National Defense explained that the area affected by this change is equivalent to 90 times the size of Yeouido.

The total area benefiting from the adjustment of the CCL and the lifting of restricted protection zones is 240 times the size of Yeouido. Specific areas for adjustment and de-designation will be finalized sequentially starting next year to prevent speculation.

[Ahn Gyu-back / Minister of National Defense: Starting in the second half of this year, we will conduct operational reviews and topographical surveys for each unit, and we will sequentially lift protection zones in areas where preparations are complete.]

Military obstacles, such as anti-tank barriers scattered across regions like Yanggu in Gangwon Province and Paju in Gyeonggi Province, will also be removed at 23 locations next year where military necessity has diminished.

For obstacles that remain, the Ministry of National Defense plans to consult with local governments to improve them in a way that reduces inconvenience to residents.

In addition, the Ministry of National Defense plans to significantly simplify flight approval and authorization procedures for agricultural drones and reorganize the management of CCL access to allow for processing via the internet and mobile apps.

(Reported by Kim Hyun-sang | Video by Jung Sung-hun)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.