The KFEZs sites began witnessing sea changes with the enactment of a KFEZ-related law in 2002 which promoted foreign investment, national competitiveness and balanced regional growth. The agriculture and fisheries in old areas were replaced by cutting-edge industrial complexes, global educational institutes, and cultural and leisure facilities, ready for the cities to become truly global.

The KFEZs have continued to change for business during the past 15 years and have become a major investment destination for international business leaders. Influential media, including TIME, CNN in the U.S., and Nikkei in Japan, positively covered the KFEZs. CNN, in particular, praised Incheon, one of the seven KFEZs, as “solution to the future city.” The seven KFEZs have strived to improve business environment and living conditions for foreign-invested firms. As international business hubs, they will act as massive exchanges of global capital and information.