Alleviating Capital Region Concentration... 'Special Act on Support for Population Decline Areas' Passed in Plenary Session

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minji Lee] A bill aimed at addressing population decline and the concentration of population in the Seoul metropolitan area through regional initiatives passed the National Assembly plenary session on the 29th.

The newly passed "Special Act on Supporting Population Declining Areas" will take effect on January 1st next year. The act restructures the population decline response system, which had been government-centered, to be regionally led. It allows regions to analyze population decline issues independently and implement customized policies, with government support.

The state and local governments will establish basic plans every five years and implementation plans annually through a bottom-up approach to respond to the population decline crisis.

Additionally, local governments will cooperate to establish living zones that enhance residents' convenience and prioritize policies on jobs, startups, and housing to support the settlement of youth and middle-aged populations.

According to the special act, the state and local governments will support various special measures in fields such as childcare, education, healthcare, housing, and culture to improve living conditions in population declining areas. Education superintendents may set special provisions regarding establishment standards and approvals for schools (excluding private schools) within these areas.

Local governments may prioritize the sale of shared land to people relocating from the Seoul metropolitan area to population declining areas for residential purposes, and the Minister of the Interior and Safety may provide special local allocation tax support to these areas.

Other special measures for population declining areas include priority installation of national and public daycare centers, support for home visit medical services, priority supply of public rental housing for migrants, and visa issuance for foreign residents. Furthermore, support such as awards and financial incentives will be possible to discover and disseminate best practices in responding to population decline.