Muan-gun Holds Final Report Meeting on Population Policy Establishment Research Project

Identification of 22 Core Strategic Projects Reflecting Characteristics of Urban-Rural Complex Areas

Proposal of Youth Policies in 4 Areas to Attract Young Population

The final report meeting for the research project on establishing the mid- to long-term comprehensive population policy plan for Muan-gun was held. ⓒ Asia Economy

[Muan＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Oh Hwan-joo] Jeollanam-do Muan-gun (Governor Kim San) announced on the 25th that it recently held the final report meeting for the research project on establishing a mid- to long-term comprehensive plan for Muan-gun's population policy at the county office situation room.

At the report meeting, the characteristics of Muan-gun's population and living conditions were analyzed and diagnosed to present policy directions and core strategies for mid- to long-term population inflow.

So far, the county conducted an in-depth survey of 1,040 people, including various social organizations and general residents, and through expert consultations with university professors and the Korea Research Institute for Human Settlements, it discovered 22 core strategic projects reflecting the characteristics of a mixed urban-rural city, such as creating an eco-friendly station-area logistics activation cluster linked to the MRO project.

In addition, by comparing and analyzing excellent population policy cases from overseas and other local governments, Muan-gun proposed four policies for attracting young population to overcome the low birthrate and aging society: ▲job creation and startup support ▲housing and residential environment ▲talent development and education ▲youth welfare and community culture.

Muan-gun's population rapidly decreased every year in the 1970s and 1980s as rural youth left for cities in search of jobs, but since the relocation of the provincial office in 2005 and the development of the Namak New Town, the population has steadily increased, currently reaching 90,086 (as of the end of September), the largest population among county-level units.

However, rural areas face an urgent need for population inflow measures due to a 1.55% annual population decline caused by low birthrate and aging from youth outflow.

Although there had been no systematic and comprehensive roadmap for population policy, the county plans to actively promote regionally tailored population policies by preparing an actionable plan that residents can directly feel through this research project.

Governor Kim San said, “It is urgent to create an industrial environment suited to local characteristics and generate quality jobs so that our youth do not migrate to cities but settle in the region,” adding, “Based on the results of this research, we will overcome the increasingly serious population problem and build a Muan where young people return.”

Muan＝Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Oh Hwan-joo ohj1358@asiae.co.kr

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