Revitalizing Rural Korea: Jeollanam-do Pioneers Groundbreaking ‘Population and Youth Immigration Office
South Jeolla Province Declares ‘First Year of Overcoming Local Extinction’ and Establishes Population and Youth Immigration Bureau
South Jeolla Province has declared the ‘first year of overcoming local extinction’ and established the ‘Population and Youth Immigration Bureau’, the first population and immigration department in the country. This move is part of an all-out effort to solve the low birth rate problem and strengthen youth policies.
The province is promoting the ‘Jeollanam-do/City/County Basic Birth Allowance’ for all children born after January 2024, with the goal of implementation in 2025. The number of public postnatal care centers is expected to expand to 9, the largest number in the country.
To attract and settle young people, the province is introducing ‘Jeonnam-type 10,000 won housing’, providing 10,000 won in rent to young people and newlyweds. Customized projects such as 2 million won in wedding congratulatory money for young couples, increasing the support amount for the Jeonnam Youth Culture Welfare Card, and the Youth Hope Stepping Stone Account are also being promoted.
The province is strengthening settlement support by operating ‘Jeonnam-type 10,000 won second houses’ along with short-term and long-term stay programs for office workers in large cities.
Thanks to these efforts, Jeollanam-do is seeing a steady influx of approximately 40,000 people per year who are returning to farming, fishing, and rural life.
Regarding foreigner and immigration policies, the research service for the ‘Jeonnam-type basic immigration policy plan’ and the on-site survey of local companies and foreigners are in progress. Starting in August, the ’Jeonnam Immigration and Foreigner Comprehensive Support Center’ will be established in the Daebul National Industrial Complex in Yeongam to provide initial adaptation services.
Kim Myeong-sin, former director of the Population and Youth Immigration Bureau of South Jeolla Province, said, “We will deploy an all-out response system to create a South Jeolla Province where people want to live.”