Source: 고려인이 짓는 미래도시가 던지는 질문 [취재수첩]

The project’s execution stood out. The Kazakhstan government designated Alatau as a special economic zone (SEZ), offering foreign investors major tax exemptions and simplified immigration procedures, and legally allowing large projects to contract directly with the government. The Caspian Group, leading development, operates with near-full authority, showing how regulatory clarity and support can accelerate private-sector action.

In contrast, Korean companies face complex regulations, environmental reviews, local opposition, and bureaucratic hurdles, even in government-prioritized fields like carbon neutrality, hydrogen economy, and urban air mobility. Regulatory sandboxes allow only limited experimentation, slowing innovation despite government emphasis on private-sector initiative.

While direct comparisons are difficult due to differing political, economic, and administrative contexts, the Alatau case highlights a key lesson: when the state clearly sets direction and removes institutional obstacles, the private sector can deliver results at remarkable speed. For Korea to become a global industrial hub, it must move beyond signaling direction and start clearing the path.