• 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 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.

• Journal of the Economic Geographical Society of Korea
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.86-97
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• 2014

Incheon Free Economic Zone is the first free economic zone specified in 2003 in Korea. Previous research on the Free Economic Zone has focused on the activation of the free economic zone or foreign investment issue at the level of the national economic plan. Related to the development of a free economic zone, studies are currently insufficient on the relevance of the local economy, the development of linkages with hinterland, and the balanced regional development. Therefore, this study tried to investigate the impact of Incheon Free Economic Zone to the local economy through analyzing the causes and characteristics of the imbalance between the regions in Incheon by comparing before (1996~2002) and after (2003~2009) of the Incheon Free Economic Zone legislation (2003). The result shows that development of the free economic zone has not been connected to the local economy activation and the ripple effect on the old town in Incheon. Further, the construction of a large apartment and infrastructure in the free economic zones have increased the disparity between the free zones and the old town.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.43-66
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• 2009

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the free economic zone policy from the viewpoint of Policy Science. because of insufficiency on policy science of the previous researches for the free economic zone. So Trying on free economic zone policy from the viewpoint of policy science, the paper is shown the new proposal for free economic zone policy. For this trying, this paper used to the viewpoint of policy science; (1) the system of policy(policy process, policy content(pattern)), (2) the policy implementation(local government-central intergovernmental management). In the end, beyond the previous research on the free economic zone policy, shown on not only new viewpoints on the free economic zone, but also, the solutions of practical implementation for free economic zone on the free economic zone.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.53-72
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• 2001

This study focuses on analyzing the economic effects and probes the necessity of establishing a customs free zone at the Port of Busan. It first considers the economic effects of establishing a customs free zone at the Port of Busan, then suggests policy prescriptions for introducing and operating the free zone system and improving the logistics functions of the Port. The timeline of this study is focused on 2007, when all of Busan Port will operate as a customs free zone and the first stage of the New Busan Port and distribution parks will be built and opened for operation. The regression analysis, which was conducted using the inter-industry relations table(input-output table data), provided a quantitative prediction on the effects of making Busan Port into a customs free zone. Regarding the impact of a free zone system on the domestic and regional economy, this research found that the impact of a customs free zone on domestic industries and the regional economy once the customs free zone is established throughout all of Busan Port would be highly positive. The positive economic effects on the domestic and Busan regional economy might be further strengthened if the value-added logistics function of Busan Port could be supplemented by effective linking to the hinterlands.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.123-140
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• 2004

With the globalization of economy, there is keen competition among rountries to be a logistics hub and companies are striving to be first in establishing logistics system centering on advantageous sites, especially airport and seaports, to perform supply, production and distribution. Korea competing with Northeast Asia countries is also working out strategies in order to make Korea peninsula a logistics center of Northeast Asia taking advantage of its geographical strength. Gwangyang port has designated as Free Economic Zone together with Pusan and Jinhae, Incheon from October 24th, 2003. However, the introduction of Free Economic Zone in Korea lagged behind other major countries and it has a lot of operational problems. Approximately 600 areas worldwide are designated and operated as a Free Economic Zone and Gwangyang port and its surrounding area has several points to be settled as one of FEZ. First one is its limited functions and related laws. Next is imperfection on development, investment and management system of the hinterland. Lark of promotion activities could be one of the problems. This paper analyzes the above problems and presents various measures to activate Gwangyang Port and Gwangyang Free Economic Zone as follows Benchmarking to promote Gwangyang Free Economic Zone as follows Benchmarking other countries' system, governmental support, introduction & logistics functions, early development of the hinterland, supply of effective one-stop service, investment attraction into the area and diversified promotion & marketing activities.

• Journal of Korea Port Economic Association
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.111-132
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• 2005

With the globalization of economy, there is keen competition among countries to be a logistics hub and companies are striving to be first in establishing logistics system centering on advantageous sites, especially airport and seaports, to perform supply, production and distribution. Korea competing with Northeast Asia countries is also working out strategies in order to make Korea penninsula a logistics center of Northeast Asia taking advantage of its geographical strength. Gwangyang port has designated as Free Economic Zone together with Pusan and Jinhae, Incheon from October 24th, 2003. However, the introduction of Free Economic Zone in Korea lagged behind other major countries and it has a lot of operational problems. Approximately 600 areas worldwide are designated and operated as a Free Economic Zone and Gwangyang port and its surrounding area has several points to be settled as one of FEZ. First one is its limited functions and related laws on Gwangyang Bay. Next is imperfection on development, investment and management system of the FEZ. Lack of promotion activities could be one of the problems. If we want to activate the FEZ, we must induce investment at Gwangyang Bay. This paper analyzes the above problems and presents various measures to activate Gwangyang Free Economic Zone by inducing investment for innovation cluster as follows Benchmarking to promote Gwangyang Free Economic Zone as follows Benchmarking other countries' system, governmental support, introduction & logistics functions, early development of the hinterland, supply ofeffective one-stop service, investment attraction into the area and diversified promotion & marketing activities.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Navigation and Port Research Conference
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• 2000.11a
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• pp.33.2-42
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• 2000

This study probes the necessity of establishing a logistic free zone in Port of Busan. It considers the economic effects of establishing the logistic free zone of Busan Port, and suggests policy prescriptions for introducing the free zone system and improving the logistics functions of Busan Port. Using input-output table data, the regression analysis was able to provide a quantitative prediction on effects of making the Busan Port a tariff-free zone. Influence for the regional economy due to the enforcement of the free zone system this research found that a strong positive effects should be expected on the Busan regional economy once the logistic free zone would be set up at the Port of Busan. The positive economic effects on Busan regional industries might be further strengthened if the value-added logistics function of Busan Port could be supplemented by linking to the hinterland of Busan Port.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.387-407
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to substantially survey the satisfaction of resident companies in Incheon Free Economic Zone to improve the investment environment of Incheon Free Economic Zone to attract more resident companies. This study implies that additional industrial lots should be secured and the restrictions against small/medium companies should be alleviated so they can grow into strong companies considering that the resident companies in Incheon Free Economic Zone are highly satisfied with their business in Incheon Free Economic Zone. As resident companies' satisfaction with administrative support, recruitment, and industrial infrastructure is low, Incheon Free Economic Zone Authority should understand and improve the specific complaints of resident companies.

• KIEAE Journal
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.91-96
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• 2010

Incheon Free Economic Zone's Songdo Area is a newly constructed city built on land reclaimed from the seaside and the surrounding area. Yeongjong Area is made after Land reclamation between Yeongjong Island and Yongyou Island began in November 1992. The first phase linking these islands to create the Incheon International Airport (phase 1) and the Airport Town Square community was finished in March 2001. However, if we take a look at the overall status of the project as it is carried on at present, it is hard to deny that the project is trapped inside the same legal restrictions as are all other existing cities, which permits Songdo Area and Yeongjong Area to meet only very minimum standards. This study intends to analyze and assess the Incheon Free Economic Zone's Songdo Area and Yeongjong Area of environmentally friendly construction and to rate its current development status, exposing any problems and offering alternative solutions. In this paper, the current state of constructions in Songdo Area and Yeongjong Area were reviewed. Then a quantitative analysis and assessment for the Songdo Area and Yeongjong Area constructions of apartments, complex buildings, office buildings, school facilities, store and hotel facilities were conducted by using green building certification criteria. Finally the synthetic results of environmental performance evaluation for Incheon Free Economic Zone's Songdo Area and Yeongjong Area constructions and follow-up suggestions were described.