Cheongdo County in North Gyeongsang Province is taking significant steps to address population decline by focusing on care services, youth settlement, expanding the resident population, and future agriculture.
With the county's registered population recently falling below 40,000, officials aim to enhance the region's sustainability through improved living conditions rather than merely increasing population numbers.
On August 25, Cheongdo County held a meeting of the Population Decline Response Committee to review a basic plan tailored to local conditions.
The plan consists of three strategies, nine practical tasks, 37 projects, and 52 detailed initiatives.
The first strategy, 'Mutual Care Settlement Ecosystem,' focuses on fostering a community-based care system, improving living and settlement environments, and establishing a 365-day care system to ensure stable living conditions for all residents, from children to the elderly.
The second strategy, 'Planting Local Life in Cheongdo,' emphasizes attracting external populations to stay and settle in the area. This includes creating support centers for living assistance and rural housing, allowing newcomers to experience life in Cheongdo before settling down. The plan also aims to support youth entrepreneurship and creative activities through initiatives like the 054 Space and Cheongdo Media Local Workshop.
Additionally, the county plans to expand stay-type tourism by utilizing local cultural and tourism resources, such as forest healing tourism and the Cheongdo Tour program, to increase the influx of residents.
The third strategy, 'Cultivating Future-Responsive Rural Values,' focuses on strengthening the sustainable foundation of agriculture and rural areas by nurturing young farmers, promoting smart farming, developing rural convergence industries, and fostering local brands.
Cheongdo County aims to support stable farming activities while also expanding industrial foundations that enable young people to work and settle in the area.
The county's shift in population policy to prioritize living conditions and resident population is linked to changes in the local demographic structure.
Recently, Cheongdo's registered population has dropped below 40,000, with a high proportion of elderly residents. In contrast, the number of visitors coming to Cheongdo for tourism and leisure is relatively high compared to the registered population.
As a result, Cheongdo County plans to focus not only on increasing the registered population but also on enhancing the stay of external visitors and connecting this to returning to farming, settling down, and entrepreneurship.
The basic plan reflects a direction that integrates care, housing, youth activities, tourism, and agriculture into a cohesive settlement ecosystem.
Cheongdo County Mayor Park Kwon-hyun stated, "Addressing the issue of population decline is not just about increasing numbers; it is crucial to create an environment where people can raise children, work, and start new lives in Cheongdo."
He added, "We will actively incorporate the various opinions presented at this committee to implement population decline response projects that residents can feel, and we will create a sustainable foundation for settlement and resident population that leverages Cheongdo's unique strengths."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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