Farmland Conversion in Gyeonggi Province Surges 47%

Farmland conversion area in Gyeonggi Province during the first half of this year has exceeded nine times the size of Yeouido (295ha).

According to the provincial government on the 7th, farmland conversion area in the province from the start of the year through the end of June totaled 2,917ha, representing a 47.2% increase compared to 1,981ha during the same period last year.

By category, farmland conversion consisted of national defense and military facilities accounting for the largest share at 921ha, followed by roads and port facilities at 711ha, residential facilities at 238ha, industrial facilities at 167ha, and agricultural facilities at 165ha.

In particular, Pyeongtaek City, designated as the relocation site for the U.S. military base in Yongsan, Seoul, saw farmland conversion area surge to 1,099ha this year compared to an average of around 100ha annually.

Additionally, Hwaseong City, where large-scale housing development projects are underway in areas such as Dongtan, Hyangnam, and Bongdam, recorded farmland conversion of 475ha, while Paju City, where factory and neighborhood facilities have increased due to the LG Philips LCD complex development, saw 119ha of farmland converted.

A provincial official stated, "While farmland conversion area has increased compared to last year due to housing development and the relocation of the U.S. military base, we are protecting prime agricultural land by designating approximately 68% of the province's total farmland as agricultural promotion zones." <Yonhapnews>