Sunchang-gun, Population Influx Increase... Support Policy Effects 'Ttokttok'

Published 05 Jun.2023 14:14(KST)

Amid the overall population decline in Jeonbuk, Sunchang-gun's various population inflow policies are proving to be highly effective.

Over the past four months, Sunchang-gun has seen a continuous influx of population, resulting in a total increase of 128 people compared to the previous year. This is considered a notable achievement during a period marked by serious population decline due to low birth rates and aging.

Choi Young-il, Sunchang County Governor. [Photo by Sunchang County]

According to the county on the 5th, although there was a natural decrease with six times more deaths (177) than births (29) this year, the total number of in-migrants from other cities and counties (1,338) exceeded out-migrants (1,062), leading to a net inflow and a total population increase of 128.

In particular, while non-metropolitan local governments nationwide are struggling with a severe decline in the youth population, the increase of 73 young people aged 19 to 34, who serve as the driving force of regional vitality, is also noteworthy.

This achievement is analyzed as a result of policies implemented under the leadership of County Governor Choi Young-il in the 8th local government term, who set "increasing the resident population" as one of the five major goals of county administration. Key pledge projects such as support for youth workers' seed savings accounts, expansion of rural study programs, and university life support funds are showing positive effects.

The county received great response with 335 participants in the "Youth Worker Seed Savings Account Support Project," launched for the first time this year to help youth workers improve their motivation and stabilize their lives.

This project allows youth workers to save 100,000 KRW monthly for two years, totaling 2.4 million KRW, with the county adding 200,000 KRW monthly, totaling 4.8 million KRW, so that at maturity they receive 7.2 million KRW plus an annual interest rate of 3.6%.

Additionally, the rural study support project, promoted as a measure to overcome the decline in vitality and the risk of closure of elementary and middle schools in township areas, attracted 18 foreign students, resulting in 31 people including their families moving in, drawing attention from other cities and counties.

The university life support fund project also received very positive feedback from parents in Sunchang.

This project provides students attending university in Sunchang with 2 million KRW per semester, 4 million KRW annually, and up to 16 million KRW over four years, significantly reducing the economic burden on parents.

It is expected that the population growth trend in Sunchang-gun will accelerate further once key projects of the 8th local government term, such as the Child Happiness Allowance, the creation of 500 Sunchang-style rural villages, and the construction of public rental housing, are fully underway.

Governor Choi Young-il said, "Improving residential conditions such as expanding jobs and housing, as well as strengthening various support measures like the youth seed savings account and university life support funds, seem to have led to the positive result of increased net population inflow. We will continue to strive to expand universal welfare in various fields."

Meanwhile, in addition to key pledge projects, the county is promoting various initiatives to increase the resident population, including signing a business agreement for the "Get a Sunchang Address Movement" with related organizations, childbirth incentives, marriage incentives, support for local exploration expenses for military personnel, establishment of public rental housing, and creation of Sunchang-style rural villages.