**Sejong, Geoje, Cheorwon, Hwacheon, Gimje… Yangyang 70,000㎡ Newly Designated**
(Seoul = Yonhap News) Reporter Kim Ji-heon = The Ministry of National Defense announced that as of the 26th, it would release or relax military facility protection zones totaling 16.02 million square meters, equivalent to 5.5 times the size of Yeouido.
The affected areas include 3.16 million square meters in Sejong and Geoje, where the restricted protection zones are being lifted, and 12.86 million square meters in Cheorwon, Hwacheon, and Gimje, where they are being downgraded from controlled protection zones to restricted ones.
In Sejong, 430,000 square meters, which had remained as a protection zone even after the relocation of military units 10 years ago, has been lifted.
In Geoje, Gyeongsangnam-do, 2.73 million square meters have been lifted, considering its minimal impact on military operations.
In Cheorwon and Hwacheon, Gangwon-do, 12.43 million square meters will be downgraded to grant residents their property rights and promote regional development.
In Gimje, Jeollabuk-do, 430,000 square meters, which were repurposed as training grounds after military relocation, have been re-evaluated and will also be relaxed.
However, the Ministry of National Defense stated that 70,000 square meters in Yangyang, Gangwon-do, deemed essential for military operations, will be newly designated as a controlled protection zone.
Topographic maps and detailed cadastral numbers of the areas where the protection zones have been lifted or relaxed can be accessed through the relevant local governments and military units, while the status of protection zones can be searched online at www.eum.go.kr.