Jeonbuk Province to Provide Fishing Village Settlement Grants to Those Under 60

by Noh Junghun

Published 27 Apr.2026 13:48(KST)

Up to 800,000 Won Per Month Provided for Up to Two Years

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province has significantly lowered the entry barriers for its youth fishing village settlement support program in response to declining fishing village populations and aging demographics. By expanding the eligible age range compared to the previous criteria, the province aims to attract more new entrants into the fishing industry.

Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province Office

On April 27, Jeonbuk Province announced that the age limit for participation in the "2026 Jeonbuk-type Youth Fishing Village Settlement Support Program" has been raised from under 45 years old to under 60 years old. The policy now covers individuals born between January 1, 1966, and December 31, 1985.

This adjustment is a measure to secure new manpower amid the ongoing decline in fishing village populations and rapid aging trends. The existing Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries program was limited to those aged between 18 and 40, leaving people in their 40s and above outside the system. Last year, Jeonbuk Province introduced a separate program for those aged 40 to under 45, and this year, it has further expanded the range to include those under 60.

Selected participants will receive 800,000 won per month for up to two years. This funding can be used for household living expenses and fishery management costs, helping to ease the initial burden of settling in. Applicants must be those who have been independently operating in fisheries or aquaculture for three years or less (or plan to do so) and must reside in a city or county with a fisheries infrastructure.

However, those who operate fisheries jointly with their parents, are currently running businesses in other industries, have already received similar support, possess assets or income above a certain threshold, or are students currently enrolled or on leave of absence are excluded from eligibility. The province intends to use this age expansion as an opportunity to increase the influx of middle-aged returnees to fishing villages and to strengthen the sustainable manpower base of these communities.