Gangjin County Accelerates Efforts to Attract Urban Residents Through Vacant House Remodeling

by Lee Changheon

Published 16 Oct.2025 14:43(KST)

Third Round to Select 17 Households
Including 11 Owner-Occupied Units

Gangjin County in South Jeolla Province is working to attract urban residents and expand its settled population through a vacant house remodeling project.

Exterior view of Gangjin County Office.

According to Gangjin County on October 16, the county is currently implementing the third round of its vacant house remodeling support project this year and will finalize the selection of 17 households by the end of this month. Of these, 11 households are for owner-occupied use, marking the largest scale to date. The 30 applications received will undergo on-site inspections by October 22, after which the final selections will be made by a review committee.

Unlike typical vacant house remodeling projects, which focus primarily on long-term rentals, the county is guiding 65% of the total units toward owner-occupied use. Through this, the county aims to provide a stable foundation for urban residents who move in and settle down.

The fifth round of tenant recruitment for the 'Gangjinpum-Ae' rental housing will also take place in November. Eight households will be selected through document screening and interviews. To date, 85 households and 241 people have moved in through 'Gangjinpum-Ae,' and once next month's move-ins are complete, the settled population is expected to reach 300.

The vacant house remodeling project is linked with the county's population policies, such as support for new home construction, creation of new villages, Fuso experience programs, and childcare allowances. For owner-occupied remodeling, the county provides 50% of construction costs, up to 30 million won, with conditions requiring at least two people to move in and reside for more than ten years. If construction is delayed, selection may be canceled, and post-management will be strengthened through quarterly residency checks.