Land Usage Regulation

All land in Korea is divided into 4 categories according to its purposes - urban, managed, agricultural, and natural environment preservation - according to the National Land Planning and Utilization Act. Depending on the usage, there exist several restrictions on activities. Also, the Seoul Metropolitan Area Readjustment Planning Act divides the Seoul metropolitan area (Seoul, Incheon and Gyeonggi Province) into 3 areas (overpopulation control area, growth management area and nature preservation area) and places restrictions on certain activities in each of the areas to resolve issues caused by over-concentration of people and industries. Seoul is located within the overpopulation control area, and overpopulation fee has to be paid to construct buildings for office use or sales, as well as public offices. There are also restrictions on the maximum capacity for new construction and the expansion of factories and schools. Details of key controls can be checked by acquiring a land usage plan confirmation note from the Si/Gun/Gu office having jurisdiction over the land.