Nine islands, including Chuja Island in Jeju and Jukdo in Yeonggwang, South Jeolla, will be designated as 'remote outer islands of the national territory.' They will be eligible for various support measures such as increased national treasury subsidy rates.
The Ministry of the Interior and Safety noted on the 7th that the 'Special Act on Support for Remote Outer Islands of the National Territory such as Ulleungdo and Heuksando Enforcement Decree' was approved at the Cabinet meeting. As a result, the related enforcement decree will be implemented starting on the 17th.
According to this enforcement decree, nine islands will be designated as remote outer islands of the national territory. The islands include ◇Anmado (Yeonggwang, South Jeolla) ◇Daeseokmando (Yeonggwang, South Jeolla) ◇Dongdo (Yeosu, South Jeolla) ◇Seodo (Yeosu, South Jeolla) ◇Sangchuja-do (Jeju) ◇Hachuja-do (Jeju) ◇Hwangdo (Boryeong, South Chungcheong) ◇Jukdo (Yeonggwang, South Jeolla) ◇Hawangdeung-do (Buan, North Jeolla).
All islands designated this time are located within 10 km from the baselines for territorial waters. Additionally, they have a sea route distance of over 50 km to the mainland, a lack of regular passenger ferries, or low frequency of operation, as designated by the Minister of the Interior and Safety.
With the enactment of this enforcement decree, the government will designate and manage a total of 43 islands as remote outer islands of the national territory. Once designated, these islands are eligible for an increase in national treasury subsidy rates of up to 80% and can receive support for resident safety and infrastructure facilities.
Kim Min-jae, Deputy Minister of the Interior and Safety, said, "The remote outer islands of the national territory hold immense value in terms of national defense and maintaining maritime sovereignty," noting plans to systematically support substantial measures to enhance the quality of life for residents protecting these islands.