(1) Reasons for Proposal

This proposal aims to: remedy the fact that the scope of those subject to preparation of an evaluation report on the impact on commercial districts submitted when registering a superstore is narrow and that the evaluation method lacks specificity; and strengthen the role of the ‘distribution industry coexisting development council’ and improve its membership composition for smooth mediation of conflicts within local governments and coexisting cooperation; while supplementing shortcomings in operation of the current system by improving regulations subject to repeated questioning and simplifying civil petition administration, etc.

(2) Major Provisions

A. Expansion of the Scope of Subjects in the Preparation of Evaluation Report on the Impact on Commercial Districts and Supplementation of Preparation Methods (Article 5 (1), attached Table 1)

There is a need to remedy the fact that the scope of those subject to an evaluation report on the impact on commercial districts submitted when registering a superstore is narrow and that the evaluation method lacks specificity, such that this proposal aims to: expand ‘retail store (integrated retail store centered on food and beverages),’ which is among those currently subject to evaluation on the impact on existing business entities of the evaluation report on the impact on commercial districts, to ‘major trade scheduled for occupation (based on the Korean Standard Industrial Classification of subdivisions)'; and have the impact on store numbers, sales, employment, etc., regarding the commercial district as a whole and individual trades be prepared to provide more specifics by using both quantitative and qualitative research methods.

B. Strengthening the Role of the Distribution Industry Coexisting Development Council and Improvement of Its Composition (Article 4-2)

There is a need to strengthen the role of the ‘Distribution Industry Coexisting Development Council’ for smooth mediation of conflicts within local governments and coexisting cooperation, and to improve the composition of the council, such that this proposal aims to expand the number of interested parties participating in the council from the current 9 persons to 11 persons and include a consumer/resident representative as a mandatory member.

C. Improvement of Procedures for Management of Quasi-Superstores within Superstores (Article 5, Article 6-2)

Even when a quasi-superstore occupies a space within a registered superstore located in a traditional commerce preservation area, establishment registration is required, but it is unclear how a local government accepting registration should record and manage such registration because this proposal aims to prescribe that, when a quasi-superstore occupies a space within a registered superstore located in a traditional commerce preservation area, the fact that such quasi-superstore has been established shall be recorded in and managed through the management register of the relevant superstore, etc., and the same measures shall be taken when the quasi-superstore makes a report of suspension of business/permanent closure.

D. New Insertion, etc., of Procedures for Notification of Changes to Establishment Plans of Superstores and Quasi-Superstores (Article 5-2 (2) and (3))

When establishing a superstore and/or quasi-superstore, establishment plans including information such as the operator, establishment place, date scheduled for commencement of operation, type of superstore, store area, etc., notification shall be made through the internet homepage of the local government before commencement of operation, but despite the fact that, in case of changes to notification’s published content, there is a need to change and notify again, there has been no prescribed procedures for doing so, such that this proposal aims to newly insert procedures for notification of changes.

E. Supplementation, etc., of Other Shortcomings in the Operation of the Current System (Article 5 (4), Article 5 (5), Article 5 (7) 5, Article 6 (3), Article 10 (1), and Article 27 (2))

This proposal aims to: clarify matters to be stated in a registration of changes to a superstore, principal in charge of registration of changes to a superstore, subjects of registration of changes to a superstore, etc.; have sunset release of three (3) re-examination-type regulations and lengthen the re-examination cycle from two (2) to five (5) years for two (2) such regulations; expand, in accordance with a request from the Ministry of Interior and Safety for improvement of civil petition administration, the scope of matters subject to sharing of public information to include permission to change construction/use of buildings; and delete the duty to submit certification of seal imprint which had been requested out of routine practice.