Geochang County Selected for Agriculture Ministry Project ... To Build Second Dormitory for Agricultural Workers

Securing 2.4 Billion Won in Project Funding
Aiming to Operate 110 Public Seasonal Workers by 2026

Geochang County in South Gyeongsang Province announced on October 29 that it has been finally selected for the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs' "2026 Agricultural Workers Dormitory Construction Support Project," securing a total of 2.4 billion won in funding for new construction (1.32 billion won from the national and provincial governments).

This public project was organized to improve the living conditions of agricultural workers and secure a stable rural workforce, with local governments nationwide invited to apply. In preparation for the selection, Geochang County held resident briefings and public hearings to gather opinions. Following the first round of document review and the second round of on-site evaluation by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, five locations nationwide, including Geochang County, were selected.

Geochang-gun Agricultural Workers Dormitory Phase 1 (Completed in 2024) Photo.

The county plans to construct the new dormitory in Masang-ri, Gajo-myeon, with a total floor area of 500 square meters. The facility will include offices and rest areas, and will accommodate 40 people in 10 rooms. This initiative is intended to establish a decentralized operational system by linking with the first dormitory in Geochang-eup, which was completed and has been in operation since September 2024, in response to the rapidly increasing demand for foreign seasonal workers.

With this selection, Geochang County expects to create a stable residential environment for agricultural workers in line with the 2026 plan to attract and expand public seasonal workers, alongside the first dormitory. This is anticipated to significantly help resolve the rural labor shortage and enhance the competitiveness of local agriculture.

County Governor Koo Inmo stated, "We will improve the living environment for workers in line with the expanded operation of public seasonal workers in 2026 and create a mutually beneficial model that satisfies both workers and farming households. We will continue to actively promote policies focused on the agricultural field."

Meanwhile, Geochang County is currently operating the first agricultural workers dormitory (36 Daepyeong 3-gil, Geochang-eup), which was completed in September 2024, and 69 public seasonal workers are currently residing there. To meet the growing demand for seasonal workers, the county also plans to designate Bukbu Nonghyup as an operator and add Donggeochang Nonghyup as an additional operating institution starting next year, thereby expanding operations.

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