The Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency (Commissioner Moon Seong-yo) and the Korea Customs Service (Commissioner Lee Jong-wook) designated 6.0㎢ (1.81 million pyeong) covering Districts 3, 7, and 8 of the Saemangeum National Industrial Complex as a comprehensive bonded area on August 4. Including the existing Districts 1, 2, 5, and 6, the total size of the comprehensive bonded area has grown to 14.1㎢ (4.26 million pyeong).
 [코리안투데이] 새만금청 관세청 새만금 AI 로봇 클러스터 조기 구축 등 현대차 투자 지원을 위해 종합보세구역 선제적 지정 © 장형임 기자 |
A comprehensive bonded area is a zone designated by the Commissioner of the Korea Customs Service where two or more functions—such as the storage, manufacturing, processing, and construction of foreign goods—can be carried out while customs duties and other taxes remain deferred. With this designation, companies operating in Saemangeum will be able to ease their customs and tax burdens across the entire process, from the factory construction stage through product manufacturing and export.
The measure is intended to seamlessly support the large-scale investment that Hyundai Motor Group is pursuing in the Saemangeum region. On February 27, Hyundai Motor Group announced an investment plan worth roughly 9 trillion won in Saemangeum, North Jeolla Province, covering robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), hydrogen energy, solar power generation, and an AI hydrogen city. The plan includes an AI data center, a robot manufacturing plant, and a water electrolysis facility. The two agencies expect the designation to accelerate the early establishment of national advanced-industry clusters such as physical AI and future mobility.
 [코리안투데이] 새만금청 관세청 새만금 AI 로봇 클러스터 조기 구축 등 현대차 투자 지원을 위해 종합보세구역 선제적 지정 © 장형임 기자 |
The designation stemmed from cooperation between the two agencies. Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency Commissioner Moon Seong-yo and Korea Customs Service Commissioner Lee Jong-wook met on June 24 to discuss ways to designate the comprehensive bonded area early. Accordingly, when the Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency requested the expansion of the area from the Korea Customs Service on July 15, the Customs Service promptly completed the designation procedures.
The Korea Customs Service decided to provide companies with tax-deferral benefits on customs duties and other taxes across the entire process, from the fabrication plant (FAB) construction stage through product manufacturing and export. First, when building infrastructure such as manufacturing plants, companies receive customs-duty deferrals and value-added tax exemptions on the relevant machinery and equipment. After a plant is completed, taxes and costs are also lowered so that foreign raw materials can be quickly manufactured, processed, and traded while customs duties remain deferred.
 [코리안투데이] 새만금청 관세청 새만금 AI 로봇 클러스터 조기 구축 등 현대차 투자 지원을 위해 종합보세구역 선제적 지정 © 장형임 기자 |
The practical benefits for resident companies are considerable as well. Resident companies within the comprehensive bonded area (comprehensive bonded business sites) are exempt from the license renewal procedures required every 5 to 10 years and from license fees, reducing management and operating burdens. Bonded transport procedures between resident companies are also waived, making logistics movement, manufacturing, and processing much freer and faster.
The Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency provides one-stop support across the entire process, from investment consultation to site supply, permits and licenses, and factory groundbreaking and operation. It is also working to create a ‘business-friendly environment’ by expanding infrastructure such as water and power supplies and by improving transportation and living conditions.
 [코리안투데이] 새만금청 관세청 새만금 AI 로봇 클러스터 조기 구축 등 현대차 투자 지원을 위해 종합보세구역 선제적 지정 © 장형임 기자 |
The two agencies expect the designation to serve as a catalyst that draws chain investments not only from Hyundai Motor Group but also from partner companies and advanced firms at home and abroad. They also plan to continue expanding customs-clearance and logistics support that companies can tangibly feel, in cooperation with relevant institutions such as North Jeolla Special Self-Governing Province and Gunsan City.
 [코리안투데이] 새만금청 관세청 새만금 AI 로봇 클러스터 조기 구축 등 현대차 투자 지원을 위해 종합보세구역 선제적 지정 © 장형임 기자 |
Saemangeum Development and Investment Agency Commissioner Moon Seong-yo said, ‘This expansion of the comprehensive bonded area is a leading exemplary case in which we drew out the support companies wanted at the right time through cooperation with the Korea Customs Service,’ adding, ‘We will continue to identify regulatory improvements and incentives and do our utmost to create an investment environment that companies can tangibly feel.’
Korea Customs Service Commissioner Lee Jong-wook emphasized, ‘This expansion of the comprehensive bonded area is a preemptive measure to support advanced manufacturers, including Hyundai Motor Group, in using Saemangeum as a global forward base,’ adding, ‘Through its Advanced Strategic Industry One-Stop Customs Administration Support Team, the Korea Customs Service will concentrate its administrative capacity so that Saemangeum can grow into a core hub of Korea’s future industries.’
지역 홍보대사 신청 기자양성과정 신청 코리안투데이 지부장 신청 코리안투데이 인천강화코리안브랜드대상 신청 최고경영인대상 신청 소비자만족도대상 신청
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