The Ministry of SMEs and Startups (MSS) has announced that it will host the “2025 Regulatory Free Zone Innovation Week” event, bringing together local governments and regional special zone officials across the country until November 7th. Typically a two-day event, this year’s gathering has been expanded and rebranded as “Innovation Week,” featuring simultaneous events nationwide under the slogan “Innovation with Regions, Opening the Future with Special Zones.”
The official brand for Innovation Week is “Innovation Zone ON,” symbolizing the expansion of regulatory innovation achievements nationwide through “open collaboration and connection,” and strengthening communication and cooperation among zone stakeholders.
Regulatory Free Zones are a Korean version of the regulatory sandbox system, allowing exceptions for regulatory barriers to new technologies and businesses within designated areas. Since its inception in 2019, 42 zones have been designated, with 25 currently operating. Over six years, 31 projects have undergone regulatory improvements, leading to the revision of 55 regulatory laws.
The event, held from November 6 to 7 at the Daejeon Convention Center, includes an exhibition hall to introduce regional zone policies and promote past achievements. On the first day, a policy briefing provided government policy information needed by zone operators, followed by an awards ceremony for those who contributed to local economic activation through the regulatory free zones and regional special development zones.
Outstanding cases were presented, including the “Albam Zone” in Gongju City, Chungnam, and the “Smart Green Logistics Zone” in Gyeongbuk, which received accolades. Gongju’s Albam Zone, which received a Presidential Award, expanded exports to the U.S. and Vietnam, achieving the top rank in Chungnam’s agrifood exports in 2024. Gyeongbuk’s Smart Green Logistics Zone was designated in August 2021 and over four years validated the safety and efficiency of eco-friendly urban logistics delivery services using four-wheeled cargo electric bicycles, with export projects worth 210 billion KRW.
On November 7, a discovery and exchange meeting will present theme-specific excellence cases from Gyeongbuk (cell-cultured food), Daegu (mobile collaborative robots), and Busan (ammonia eco-friendly energy). Initiatives such as “regional cooperation networks” for liability insurance and joint venture conversions will also be discussed.
Additionally, various related events will be held across municipalities nationwide, including technology exchange meetings, Regulatory Free Zone IR Day, and buyer invitation consultations.