During her visit to Yeongyang County's Yan-dang-ri, Minister Song assessed the progress of abandoned home revitalization efforts. The village has transformed nine abandoned houses into cultural and experiential spaces, including a café, a village library, and a traditional guesthouse, attracting over 25,000 visitors annually.
Minister Song toured the revitalized village, which now includes homes for returnees and accommodations for foreign workers, and engaged in discussions with local residents about the abandoned house policies.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is implementing tailored maintenance projects based on the value and condition of abandoned houses. For homes deemed unsuitable for renovation, the ministry provides demolition support, while those eligible for revitalization are encouraged to enter private transactions through the 'Rural Abandoned House Bank.' In areas with a high concentration of abandoned homes, the ministry plans collective remodeling to create business facilities, residential spaces, and shared-use facilities.
Additionally, the ministry intends to announce a draft of the Special Law on Rural Abandoned House Management to support the maintenance of these homes. The proposed law outlines the roles of central and local governments as well as homeowners. The goal is to reduce the number of abandoned houses in rural areas from the current 66,000 to 33,000 by next year.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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