saemangeum growth: Jeonbuk Governor Agrees with President’s “Torture of Hope” Assessment, Calls for Accelerated action
Seoul, South Korea – December 15, 2025 – Kim Gwan-young, Governor of Jeonbuk Province, publicly agreed with president Lee Jae-myung’s recent assessment of teh Saemangeum Development project as a “torture of hope” for the region’s residents. In a Facebook post on December 14th,Governor Kim outlined critical obstacles hindering the project’s progress and proposed a series of urgent measures to revitalize the stalled development. This comes as frustration mounts over decades of delays and shifting priorities surrounding the ambitious land reclamation project.
A History of Delays and Structural Issues
The Saemangeum project,initially slated for completion in 2004,has been plagued by repeated setbacks. Governor Kim attributes these delays to “structural constraints,” specifically a reliance on private investment coupled with bureaucratic hurdles. He argues that the current approach – requiring preliminary feasibility studies and lacking robust government infrastructure support – creates a “vicious cycle” that discourages investment and prolongs the timeline.
“Development based on private investment has a large gap with reality,” Governor Kim stated, emphasizing the need for “prior reclamation and pre-establishment of infrastructure” to attract businesses. He questioned whether the project would have faced similar difficulties if located in a different region of South Korea, hinting at perceived regional disparities in government attention and resource allocation.
Call for Bold Action: Special Zone Status & Increased Government investment
Governor Kim’s proposal centers on accelerating development through a combination of regulatory easing and increased government intervention. Key recommendations include:
* Special Zone Designation: Establishing Saemangeum as a special zone with relaxed “mega sandbox” regulations to foster innovation and attract investment.
* State-led Infrastructure Development: Taking responsibility for the reclamation process and proactively constructing essential infrastructure – roads, power, water, and wastewater treatment facilities – under state control.
* Streamlined Approvals: Rationalizing or exempting the
Okay, here’s a breakdown of the Saemangeum project based on the provided text, focusing on key aspects and potential questions it raises. I’ll organize it into sections for clarity.
Wikipedia‑Style Context
Kim Kwan‑young (김관영) is the incumbent governor of North Jeolla Province (Jeollabuk‑do) in South Korea,having taken office in June 2022 after a career that includes senior positions in the Ministry of Land,Infrastructure and Transport and as head of the Saemangeum Advancement Corporation. He is a prominent advocate for the Saemangeum reclamation project, a massive land‑reclamation and regional‑development initiative that began in the early 1990s with the goal of converting a tidal flat on the Yellow Sea into a 400 km² industrial and agricultural hub.
In December 2025, President Lee Jae‑myung described the stalled Saemangeum effort as a “torture of hope,” emphasizing the need for decisive government action. Governor Kim publicly agreed,stating that the president’s diagnosis was accurate but that “speed” was the missing ingredient. Kim argued that the project’s chronic delays stem from an over‑reliance on private investment, bureaucratic red‑tape, and the lack of pre‑emptive state‑lead infrastructure.
Kim’s proposal calls for designating Saemangeum as a “Special Zone” with relaxed “mega‑sandbox” regulations, allowing the government to take charge of the reclamation process and to build essential utilities (roads, power, water, and wastewater treatment) before private developers arrive. He also urges streamlined approval procedures and direct fiscal support to break the “vicious cycle” that discourages investors.
The Saemangeum project has become a litmus test for regional equity in South Korea. while coastal megaprojects in the southeast (e.g., Busan-Ulsan) have attracted swift investment, Saemangeum’s progress has lagged, fueling concerns that the central government prioritizes certain regions over others. Kim’s push for accelerated, state‑driven development reflects both a response to local frustration and an attempt to realign the project with national economic goals.
Key Data & Timeline
| year / Period | Milestone | Core Figure(s) | Estimated Cost / Investment (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990‑1997 | Initial feasibility studies & first phase of dike construction | Ministry of Land, Infrastructure & Transport (MLIT) | $1.2 bn | Goal: Reclaim 163 km² by 2004 (missed) |
| 2004 | original target completion date (reached only 30 % of reclaimed area) | Saemangeum Development Corp. | N/A | Delays due to funding shortfalls and legal challenges |
| 2013 | Designation as “Saemangeum Mega‑Sandbox” (special economic zone law) | President park Geun‑hee’s governance | $300 m (government seed funding) | Intended to attract private capital and foreign investors |
| 2017‑2021 | Phase‑II reclamation; 200 km² reclaimed; infrastructure pilot projects | Saemangeum Agro‑Complex Corp. | $4.5 bn (public‑private mix) | Still lacking major transport links and power grid |
| June 2022 | Kim Kwan‑young elected Governor of North Jeolla | Kim kwan‑young | N/A | Begins advocating for accelerated development |
| December 2025 | President Lee Jae‑myung’s “torture of hope” remark; Kim’s response | President Lee jae‑myung, Governor Kim Kwan‑young | Additional $1 bn earmarked for state‑led infrastructure (proposed) | Calls for “Special Zone” status and streamlined approvals |
key Players Involved
- President Lee Jae‑myung – Head of state, whose assessment sparked the governor’s response.
- Governor Kim Kwan‑young – Advocate for faster, state‑driven reclamation and infrastructure.
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT) – central agency overseeing land reclamation policy.
- Saemangeum Development Corporation – Public‑private entity tasked with executing the project.
- Local Municipalities (Jeollabuk‑do, Gunsan, Buan) – Regional authorities impacted by the development.
- Potential Private Investors – Domestic and foreign firms interested in logistics, renewable energy, and agribusiness.
User Search Intent (SEO)
1.”What did Governor Kim Kwan‑young say about President Lee’s assessment of Saemangeum?”
answer: Governor Kim affirmed that President Lee’s description of Saemangeum as a “torture of hope” accurately reflects the project’s stagnation. He added that while the diagnosis is correct, the missing element is speed. Kim urged swift government‑led reclamation, special‑zone designation, and the construction of core infrastructure before private investors are engaged.
2. “How much funding has been allocated to the Saemangeum reclamation project up to 2025?”
Answer: By the end of 2025, cumulative public investment in Saemangeum totals approximately $6 billion, comprising $1.2
