DMZ’s neighboring villages dreaming of a bigger future

梦想着更大的未来的DMZ邻村

The DMZ has previously been a space of fantasy to us due to it being a difficult place to visit. However, these days there are people living in the villages near the DMZ. A lot of things had to be sacrificed in order to be a neighbor to the DMZ, but there are still people who have big dreams. 

因为不能随意访问，所以DMZ对我们来说是有些幻想的空间。可是，这里有现实中的DMZ共同生活的村庄。因为DMZ邻近的理由，只能放弃很多，但依然还有梦想着更美好未来的美丽的人们。

<landscape viewed from Goseong unification observatory> Photo by the Goseong county office

高城统一展望台俯视的风景>照片_高城郡厅

New space made by the DMZ, the border line area

DMZ诞生的新的空间，接境地区

To the general public, ‘the border line area’ is an ambiguous word. It sounds like a region close to the border, or regions in contact with the boundary. Considering the state of the two Koreas, it is possible that the term may refer to an area that has a certain relationship with the DMZ, however; it is still uncertain. The border line in general means a ‘specific area adjacent to a particular boundary line’. Given this concept, the border line area can be seen where boundaries between provinces, counties, and even between provinces and counties within a country are shared. However, ‘the border line area’ generally means a boundary between two countries, in other words ‘a certain area near the border’, and its range differs in every country. Our country’s border line area is based on the「Border Area Support Act」. The scope is fixed by three different standards, and six cities and counties in Gangwon-do, seven cities and counties in Gyeonggi-do, and two counties in Incheon, which is the borderline area. All of these cities and counties are adjacent or within the DMZ.

对普通市民，‘接境地区’是似懂非懂的模糊的词汇。看似指着国境附近的地区，也像是市、道的分界相面对的地区。根据韩国的分裂状况，又像是DMZ相关的任何地区，但这些都不正确。一般含义的接境地区指的是‘特定分界线为主，与此邻近的一定区域’。这样的概念上看，设定国家与国家之间、国家内道与道、郡与郡、道与郡等分界时，可以设定接境地区。但是大体上‘接境地区’指的是国家与国家之间的分界，即‘邻近国境的一定区间’，该范围根据国家情况而不同。韩国的‘接境地区’是根据「接境地区支援特别法」的概念。根据三种基准设定范围，而江原道的6个市郡、京畿道的7个市郡、仁川郡的2个郡属于接境地区。这些都是邻近DMZ或DMZ内的地区。 

■ The border line area according to the「Border Area Support Act」

     根据「接境地区支援特别法」的接境地区  

The land controlled by regulation, where freedom is needed

受限规制的土地，需要自由 

For the past 60 years, the border line area has been viewed in a negative way due to its location near the militarily region. Development of land at the border line area was restricted by the various regulations, and residents could not dispose of their private properties at will. Nowadays, many regulations are applied to most of the border line areas. Therefore, compared to the administration district area, results of the regulated land used by individual law shows more than 100% of the entire area is restricted by a zoning law. Also, in Cheorwon-gun, Gangwon-do, the regulated area has a ratio of more than 200%. In the case of the protected zone at the military installations, regulated areas are continuously changing their status and becoming more deregulated. However, this is seen from the nation’s standard of 52.6%, which is 10 times more than in other regions. 

接境地区在过去60多年期间，因为位于军事上重要位置的特性，一直受到各种不公正待遇。接境地区的土地受限于各种规制而被限制开发，居民也无法随意处理私有财产。现在，大部分的接境地区适用双重、三重的规制，比起行政区域面积，根据个别法的土地利用规制（9个）分析结果，整个面积的100%以上土地适用规制，而江原道铁原郡的规制地区比率达到200%以上。军事设施保护区域正在继续缓和·解除规制地区，但是以全国为准，达到其他地区的10倍以上的52.6%。 

■ The current status of the regulated land compared to the administrative area near the borderline area

    接境地区的行政区域面积中土地利用规制现况

※ 단위 : ㎢

※ 单位：㎢
Note 1. Ministry of Public Administration and Security general subsidy ‘s calculation history(2009) is the standard of protection zone of military installations area.

注1、军事设施保护区域面积是行政安全部普通交付税计算明细（2009年）资料的2007年为准。 

Note 2. Administrative district area, natural environment conservation area, farming area (no city region), green zone (city region), agricultural development region, and national park area’s materials are from cities and provinces’ statistics and annual report (2007). Materials of protection area of source water, wildlife sanctuary, and Baekdudaegan preservation area are from Ministry of Environment data..

注2、行政区域面积、自然环境保全地区、农林地区（非城市地区）、绿地地区（城市地区）、农业振兴地区、国公立公园面积是各市、道的统计年报（2007年为准）、上水源保护区域（2006年为准）、野生动植物保护区域（2008年为准）、白头大干保全地区（2005年为准）是环境部资料。 

Regulation on usage of the borderline area’s land presented greatly preserved ecological environment, but slowed down local growth and lagged local residents’ life. Fiscal self-reliance ratio of the borderline area today is much lower than metropolitan cities and provinces as well as a decrease in population in most of the area. Are we paying less attention to people living near the DMZ even though our point of view towards DMZ has changed and grabbed world’s attention? Can people living near the borderline area restricted by many regulations view DMZ as ‘new area of peace’ just like we do? 

接境地区的土地利用规制因为不曾开发，带给我们保存良好的生态环境，但有着迟缓地区发展并使地区居民生活落后的原因。现在接境地区的财政独立程度是比起各市郡所在的广域市/道非常低的水平，且大部分地区的人口在减少。我们面对DMZ的视觉发生变化，世界的耳目也集中，但是我们对在DMZ附近生活的人们是不是太缺乏关心呢？受限于各种规制的接境地区的居民，能像我们这样认为DMZ是‘新的和平空间’吗？

The government enacted「Border Area Support Act」(2011) and is searching for ways for the growth of border line area, improvement of residents’ quality of life and to systematically preserve natural environment. Our attention is also significant. Even though we are shouting out ‘peaceful DMZ, eye-catching DMZ’, there are actually people whom are living together with DMZ. DMZ’s tomorrow might change depending on how these people think and show THEIR attitude towards DMZ.

当今政府在2011年制定「接境地区支援特别法」等，正在寻找有助于接境地区的发展与居民们的生活质量提高、有体系保全自然环境的方案。我们的关心也重要。我们在远方呼喊‘和平开花的DMZ，世界瞩目的DMZ'，但实际上与DMZ共同生活的另有其人。根据他们对DMZ抱有什么样的想法与态度，DMZ的明天也有可能发生很大的变化。

■ Comparison of fifteen border line area cities and counties’ fiscal self-reliance ratio

     接境地区15个市郡的财政自立程度比较

<Source: The safety administration finance research(https://lofin.mois.go.kr/)

 Rise as the center of a unified Korea

升为统一韩半岛的中心

The Korean War and appearance of the DMZ changed Korea’s fate. However, more importantly, ordinary people and the destiny of their village has changed. Not only the DMZ, but we also need to consider the neighboring regions. It was isolated as a spot of territorial use, but the borderline area is a region of opportunity to our people when we think of unification. 

6.25战争，还有DMZ的诞生给韩国的命运带来了很大的变化。但是更重要的是，平凡的人们和他们生活的村庄的命运也发生了变化。现在不仅是DMZ，DMZ邻近地区也需要顾虑到。这段期间虽然成为国土利用的死角地带，但接境地区在考虑统一韩半岛时，就是我们民族另一个机会之地。 

Firstly, the borderline area will be the center for human and material exchange. Since the main traffic network between the North and South will pass through this area, it will become a passageway and link to the North and South. Secondly, there is a lot of historical and cultural heritage located here, due to the borderline areas historical location at the center zone of the Korean Peninsula. Due to fierce battles during the Korean War around the center of the DMZ, many historical relics containing evidence from the war were left behind. Also, in terms of local economic development, it is highly competitive because of the close distance to the capital area as well as being geographically adjacent to Asia’s economic block. Lastly, there is access control and regulation from the division of Korea and military confrontation over the past 50 years, therefore an excellent natural ecosystem has been preserved.

第一、接境地区将成为今后人·物交流的中心地区。因为南北韩的主要交通网从这里通过，不仅是南北韩的连接，还可以成为跟中国大陆的连接通道。第二、历史上位于韩半岛中心地带，有着各种宝贵的历史·文化遗产。DMZ为主开展过激烈的战斗，所以遗留着6.25战争前后痕迹的历史遗物。第三、靠近首都圈，地理上靠近东北亚经济圈背后市场，所以在地区经济发展方面具有很高的竞争力。第四、半世纪期间，南北分裂与军事对峙形成的进出警戒与规制，保全着优秀的自然生态系。

• 

  <Registered cultural propertiesno.22Cheorwon Labor Party Office> Photo by Cheorwon County Office

• 

  <Natural monument no.247GoseongHyangnobong peak, Natural Reserve> Photo by Goseong County Office

It is now time for us to change the borderline area from a hostile place to a reconciled and consolidated one. In the past, the borderline area stepped forward into an establishment of peace by the Gaeseong Industrial Complex, Mount Kumgang tour, South-North connection road and opening railroad. Now is the moment to take another step forward. We should not forget the important role of the borderline area when the future of a unified Korea is in front of us. We must try our best so that the borderline area can be a symbol of reconciliation and peace.

现在，我们需要将接境地区自敌对与断绝的空间转变为和解与统一的空间。过去接境地区因为开城工团与金刚山观光、南北连接道路与铁道建设等，向和平迈出了一步。现在需要再次迈出一步。统一韩半岛的未来，作为现实来到我们的面前，而我们不能忘记接境地区的作用非常重要，为了使接境地区与DMZ一起成为和解与和平的象征而尽最大的努力。 

  

The current status of the world borderline area and examples of their successful use

世界接境地区现况与和平的利用事例

There are borderline areas around the world that are in separation and confrontation like our DMZ, and examples of maintaining peaceful relationships by successful cooperation. We can examine our track by looking at examples of foreign borderline areas where they have chosen ‘cooperation’ instead of conflict and endeavor for each other’s development.

世界各地也有跟韩国DMZ相似的分裂·对立的接境地区，也有通过成功的合作，维持和平关系的事例。通过选择‘合作’来代替纠葛、为互相发展而努力的海外接境地区事例，可以摸索我们需要走下去的道路。

■ Hong Kong and Shenzhen’s exclusive industrial zone

    香港·深圳经济特区 

The Shenzhen special economic zone was established at Hong Kong's borderline area due to China’s reform policy. Throughout Hong Kong, it was utilized as an experimental stage for technology exchange and to attract foreign capital. Hong Kong transferred their manufacturing industry to the Shenzhen special zone and secured a great competitive advantage. Also, it was able to develop as central zone for trade, finance, conventions, and travelling services.

中国随着改革开放政策，在香港接境地区指定深圳经济特区，当做通过香港的技术转让与招商引资的实验舞台。香港也将制造业转移到深圳特区，确保持续的竞争力，发展成贸易·金融·国际会议·观光服务业中心地区。

■ The cultural exchange and cooperation between China and Taiwan in the banking regions

    中国·台湾两岸地区交流合作

China was able to accelerate economic development around the mainland coastal area by obtaining overseas sales networks and export know-how through joint production with Taiwan. Taiwan was also able to cut down their cost of production by using China’s cheap workforce and raw materials as well as developing industrial structures by transferring their labor-intensive industry.

中国通过跟台湾合作生产，借助台湾的海外销售网与出口诀窍传授等，加速了大陆沿岸地区的经济开发。台湾也利用中国的廉价劳动力与原材料，节省企业的生产费用，并通过劳动集约产业的转移，实现了产业结构高度化。 

■ The borderline area of East and West Germany changed to peace belt

    东·西德接境地区和平带化

In 1973, after the establishment of border committee, there was a finalization about joint disaster prevention in borderline area and agreement on joint alternation when accidents such as fire, flood and explosive occur. Since the late 1980s, East and West Germany tied a sisterhood relationship. Exhibitions with general public and institutions’ participation were held and meeting place was formed by sport group’s mutual visit. This was possible due to West Germany’s leading role based on unification policy and it became the cause of preparing link base between regions that were still divided after Unification.

1973年设置接境委员会，签署国境地区的共同灾难防止相关协定，约定当发生火灾·洪水·爆炸物等事故时共同应付。80年代后期开始，通过东•西德之间友好城市举办普通市民与机构参与的展示会、体育团体互相访问等，形成了交流空间。这在以统一政策为根据的西德的主导作用下实现，成为减少统一过程中混乱，统一后也将分裂地区之间形成联系基础的契机。 

■ The area of the borderline named the Gruenes Band business in East and West Germany

    过去东·西德之间国境地区Grünes Band事业

The boundary line between East and West Germany was 1,393km in length. Many rare animals and plants existed here, since it was prohibited for people to live in this region. East and West Germany started the ‘Gruenes Band’ business after unification to preserve that area. Decades after unification, the old border line area’s ecology resource has been preserved without damage, becoming a cooperation place of the local development and expanding into Europe’s greenbelt.

东·西德之间的国境线是共1,393公里，因为是人类通行被禁止的地区，成为很多罕见的动·植物栖息地。东·西德为了保全该地区，统一后即刻开始了‘Grünes Band’事业。统一后经过几十年的今天，过去接境地区的生态资源没有大规模毁损并得到保全，成为地区发展合作空间，扩大·发展为欧洲绿色带

■ Joint usage of the borderline area by South and North Yemen

    南·北也门接境地区共同利用

Despite the separation, the joint development of underground resources, such as oil, within the borderline area and usage of education as well as culture and information facilities have improved in the long run. Through both nations’ unions cooperating, unification was possible by economic and social exchange such as joint investigations on geological features and water resources, establishment of joint schools and subject consensus and etc. 

不顾分裂状况，很早开始在接境地区内石油等地下资源共同开发、教育与文化信息设施利用等，长期多样地推行。通过两国联合公司的地质·水资源共同调查与利用、国境共同学校设立与教学科目统一等经济、社会交流，实现了统一 

■ The Growth Triangle of Singapore, Johor and Riau

    新加坡·柔佛·廖内成长三角洲

The ‘Growth Triangle’ is a policy established mainly by Johor (Malaysia); The Batam Island and Riau district (Indonesia) for Singapore’s advanced industrial structures. Through this policy, three nations with different resources were able to link each other and increase a rate of regional economic growth and enhance trade potential.

‘成长三角洲’是为了新加坡的产业结构高度化，以马拉西亚的柔佛州、印尼的巴淡岛与廖内地方为主形成的政策。通过这些，具有不同资源的三个国家相联系，提高了地区的经济发展比率与贸易潜力。 

■ The US and Mexico’s Maquiladora program

    美国·墨西哥‘组装工厂’节目

The ‘Maquiladora’ program is a generic term used for foreign-invested company’s labor-intensive industry where raw materials, machineries, and equipment is imported with no tariff from Mexico and other regions, then re-exported as finished or half-finished products after assembly and manufacturing. That’s how Mexico’s US borderline area could develop to exceed their capital areas GNP per capita.

‘组装工厂’节目是自墨西哥之外的地区以无关税进口原材料·机械·装备等，组装·加工之后以完成品或者半成品状态再出口的外国人投资企业的劳动集约型产业总称。通过这些，墨西哥的美国接境地区发展到人均GNP超越首都圈的水平。 

■ 「Border Area Support Act」 link

Published in
january 14, 2016

Modified in
December 3, 2016

source

• Past that was left for the future, DMZ (2010) HahmGwang-bok, Education Center for Unification, Ministry of Unification

• Border line area development master plan – fostering the Korean Peninsula centric ecology, peace belt (2011), Ministry of Public Administration and Security

• Research on correcting notion of development and direction of policy within Gangwon border line area’s (2011), Kim Beom-su, Gangwon Development Institute

• Research on actual conditions of the border line area supported by the border area support act and improvement direction (2013), Hwang Geum-hoi, Gyeonggi Research Institue

• Research on the effects on military by the border line area development and preservation (2002), kang Han-gu•Kwon Oh-bong, KIDA

• Efficient management plan of the border line area (1997), Kim Yeong-bong, KRIHS