Governor Kim Deokhyun: "Yeoncheon, With 70 Years of Extraordinary Sacrifice, Must Be Chosen for the Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages Project"

Yeoncheon County Holds Public Press Conference at National Assembly Communication Hall
Urges Selection as Pilot Site for "Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages" Project

On September 29, Yeoncheon County in Gyeonggi Province held a public press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall, urging the selection of Yeoncheon as the pilot site for the "Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages" project.

On the 29th, Kim Deokhyun, the governor of Yeoncheon County, held a public press conference at the National Assembly Communication Hall, urging the selection of Yeoncheon as the pilot site for the "Basic Income for Farming and Fishing Villages" project. Provided by Yeoncheon County

On this day, Kim Deokhyun, the governor of Yeoncheon County, National Assemblyman Kim Sungwon, Kim Mikyung, the chairperson of the Yeoncheon County Council, and the Committee for Attracting the Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages, speaking on behalf of 40,000 Yeoncheon residents, stated, "It is essential that Yeoncheon, which has made extraordinary sacrifices since the Korean War, be selected as the pilot site for the Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages project."

Governor Kim Deokhyun emphasized, "Yeoncheon County is a border region and a rural and island area that has endured unique sacrifices, and it is also a depopulated area facing the risk of extinction. Despite being on the front lines of national security and making sacrifices, we face reverse discrimination due to our geographical location in the Seoul metropolitan area, and we are also struggling with development restrictions as a designated military facility protection zone. To overcome these challenges, it is crucial for Yeoncheon to be selected as the pilot site for the Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages project."

Governor Kim further stated, "Yeoncheon County is the most suitable region to serve as a leading role model for the Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages project, with potential for population inflow and the establishment of a regional circular economy. As a special reward for our extraordinary sacrifices, I request that the government select Yeoncheon County as the pilot site for the Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages project, so that the border region of Yeoncheon can become a beacon of hope."

The Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages project aims to provide basic income to rural areas at risk of extinction, thereby improving residents' quality of life and revitalizing the local economy through a virtuous cycle. The government plans to select around six counties out of 69 depopulated areas through a public competition, evaluating local conditions and willingness to implement the project, with the final selection expected around October. From 2026, a basic income of 150,000 won per month will be provided for two years.

Yeoncheon County, a depopulated area, is a border region that has endured tremendous sacrifices due to the inter-Korean confrontation. Ninety-three percent of its territory is designated as a military facility protection zone, subjecting it to severe military restrictions. Additionally, as part of the Seoul metropolitan area, Yeoncheon faces various regulatory challenges, such as restrictions on attracting businesses under the Seoul Metropolitan Area Readjustment Planning Act, resulting in a double burden. In response, Yeoncheon County is making every effort to attract large-scale investment projects and is implementing initiatives using the Balanced Development Account and the Local Extinction Response Fund.

During President Lee Jaemyung's tenure as governor of Gyeonggi Province, Cheongsan-myeon in Yeoncheon County was designated as the pilot site for the Gyeonggi Province Rural Basic Income project, and since 2022, a basic income of 150,000 won per month has been provided for five years. President Lee visited Yeoncheon County nine days after his inauguration to directly observe the effects of the basic income policy on population growth and job creation.

Yeoncheon County plans to use the Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages pilot project as a catalyst, focusing on related projects to maximize the effects of basic income, with the goal of transforming Yeoncheon into a rural area where people want to live, rather than one that people leave, thereby contributing to the spread of basic income.

Meanwhile, Yeoncheon County has formed a Basic Income Task Force to analyze the results of the Cheongsan-myeon basic income project and to develop various policies to enhance the effectiveness of basic income. With the voluntary participation of Yeoncheon residents, the Committee for Attracting the Basic Income for Rural and Fishing Villages pilot project has been launched, and efforts are being made in various ways, including collecting resident signatures and conducting promotional activities, to ensure Yeoncheon is selected as a pilot site.

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