Chungnam, Free Rental Apartments for Two Children... Gaining International Attention "Jealous"

China's state-owned broadcaster CCTV featured Chungnam Kkumbichae on the international channel's program "Today's Asia" on the 20th of last month. Broadcast screenshot. Provided by Chungnam Province.

[Asia Economy (Hongseong) Reporter Jeong Il-woong] The public rental apartment "Chungnam-type Happier Housing" (brand name "Chungnam Kkumbichae") is receiving focused attention in China and Japan, sparking envy among locals.

According to Chungnam Province on the 5th, Chungnam Kkumbichae is one of the province's core projects to overcome low birth rates, aiming to support half or the full amount of rent depending on the number of children born after moving in.

When a tenant moves into Chungnam Kkumbichae and has one child, they receive a 50% rent reduction; if they have two children, the rent is fully waived.

Additionally, tenants can extend their residence period up to 10 years depending on childbirth, beyond the basic 6 years.

This project started with the launch of the 7th local government administration to reduce housing cost burdens for local newlyweds and create a marriage- and childbirth-friendly environment.

Chungnam Kkumbichae has been well received by young people who hesitated to marry and have children, gaining positive responses from Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and other areas, drawing attention as a policy proposal that could spread nationwide.

Recently, local media in China and Japan have consecutively introduced the Chungnam Kkumbichae project, generating high interest and envy among locals.

For example, China's state broadcaster CCTV introduced Chungnam Kkumbichae on the international channel's program "Asia Today" on the 20th of last month.

Also, when related articles were posted on the local social media platform Weibo, they recorded 250 million views, reportedly gaining explosive interest from locals.

Chinese people who encountered Chungnam Kkumbichae through Weibo left favorable comments such as "I'm envious," "The day when China provides housing is not far," and "If (Chungnam Kkumbichae) is introduced in China, I will participate in the two-child policy."

The local private broadcaster in Japan, TBS, visited Chungnam last June to cover Chungnam Kkumbichae. TBS officials are reporting on the project status. Provided by Chungnam Province

Before China, Chungnam Kkumbichae was also introduced through Japanese local media. On the 9th of last month, Japan's leading private broadcaster TBS explained Korea's low birth rate problem, housing issues, and employment difficulties on the news program "N Star," presenting Chungnam Kkumbichae as a kind of solution to these problems.

TBS also conducted on-site coverage at Chungnam Provincial Office, the Asan project site, and families who actually received rent support through the Chungnam Kkumbichae project.

A provincial official said, "Low birth rates and high housing costs are common problems experienced in China and Japan as well, and the fact that major media outlets in both countries reported on Chungnam Kkumbichae is interpreted as attention to Chungnam's new attempt to overcome low birth rates."

Meanwhile, Chungnam Kkumbichae is planned to be built with a total of 1,015 units across five cities and counties including Asan, Cheonan, Dangjin, Seocheon, and Yesan, and will be supplied by next year.

The first construction-type project in Asan is currently in the tenant recruitment process, with applications for housing subscription from the 11th to the 25th of this month, winner announcements in January to February next year, and move-in starting in July next year. The supply scale is 600 units, the largest portion among Chungnam Kkumbichae units to be built in the five cities and counties.

Additionally, a 28-unit Chungnam Kkumbichae is under construction in Sajik-dong, Cheonan, aiming for completion in July next year, and a 100-unit housing construction is underway in Chaewon-dong, Dangjin, targeting completion in December next year.

Also, 25 units in Gunsa, Seocheon, 75 units in Naepo, Hongseong, and 87 units in Jugyo, Yesan are scheduled to be completed sequentially between August and October next year.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.