10 Years Later, Goheung Population Reaches 100,000 "Green Light"

Published 06 Jul.2023 18:36(KST)

Policies to Attract Returning Farmers and Fishermen, and New Residents, Fully Focused on Overcoming Regional Extinction Risks

Increase in In-Migrants Compared to Out-Migrants, Leading to Tangible Results

Gongyeongmin, the governor of Goheung-gun, Jeollanam-do, has signaled a green light for achieving the vision of a population of 100,000 in Goheung in 10 years.

Recently, Goheung-gun faced a rapid regional extinction crisis, ranking 3rd nationwide in the regional extinction risk index and 2nd nationwide in aging rate, with deaths reaching seven times the number of births.

[Photo by Goheung-gun]

The county has made “population inflow” the top priority of the 8th elected administration and is making every effort to overcome the regional extinction crisis with a differentiated, step-by-step strategy for attracting returning farmers, fishermen, and migrants.

As a result, over the past year of the 8th administration, the population inflow exceeded outflow by 158 people, and notably, in April, the total population increased for the first time since 2014, leading to tangible results.

The first strategy is to create a spreading atmosphere of Goheung as the No. 1 destination for returning farmers, fishermen, and migrants. Weekly visiting explanatory sessions on returning farming, fishing, and rural migration are held targeting former residents in the metropolitan area and large cities as well as the baby boomer generation, and the “Goheung 愛 Address Holding” campaign is underway.

Additionally, efforts are being made to spread a friendly image of Goheung by hosting rural cultural experience programs (fam tours) inviting urban residents and implementing policies for living in two regions.

Foundations are being established to enable returning farmers, fishermen, and migrants to settle stably in the region.

The county’s most focused project is the creation of more than 500 public rental houses by 2026, including regional public rental housing, expansion of houses for returning farmers, and remodeling of vacant houses, to supply to returning farmers, fishermen, migrants, and youth.

Moreover, settlement helpers for returning farmers, fishermen, and migrants are operated in each town and township, and support is provided for initial settlement preparation, including interest difference support for returning farming and fishing policy funds, repair costs for returning farmers’ houses, and youth support for business succession.

Various special policies are being promoted to revitalize a regional community where local residents and returning farmers, fishermen, and migrants live well together. For example, 20 personnel, including two dedicated staff, continuously monitor difficulties faced by returning farmers, fishermen, and migrants during their settlement process in Goheung, covering housing, welfare, relationships with village residents, and various support projects.

Also, for the first time in Jeollanam-do, the “Making the Best Village for Attracting Returning Farmers, Fishermen, and Migrants” project is underway, where village residents lead the attraction of returning farmers, fishermen, and migrants and operate harmony programs using incentives based on attraction performance.

Gongyeongmin, governor of Goheung-gun, stated, “The journey to achieve a population of 100,000 in Goheung in 10 years is steadily progressing with the efforts of residents, public officials, and everyone’s passion,” and added, “The next three years will be the time to make the dream of a population of 100,000 a reality.”

Meanwhile, on the 21st of last month, at Palyongsan Hall in the county office, Governor Gongyeongmin and representatives of local residents, including heads of 16 town and township village chief groups and town and township heads, gathered to pledge commitment to establishing Goheung as the No. 1 destination for returning farmers, fishermen, and migrants and to foster a participatory atmosphere for achieving a population of 100,000 in Goheung in 10 years.