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[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Kim Gwiyeol] Innovative experience programs that beckon city dwellers, such as ‘living frequently without settling down’ and ‘working holiday’ combining work and travel, are being conducted in Yeongju City, Gyeongbuk Province.

Yeongju City operates two differentiated ‘living experience programs’ unique to Yeongju as a pilot project for a new population policy targeting city dwellers from other regions.

Selected in April through a Gyeongbuk Province public contest, this program departs from the conventional population policy focused on permanent residents and introduces the concept of ‘related population.’ It is a project to discover living and experiencing models specialized for the region.

The related population refers to people who, even without actually living in a specific area, maintain continuous relationships by having affection for the area and actively participating in visits, travel, local festivals, and purchasing local specialties.

The program, which will accept applications in two phases starting August 1, is divided into two types: △ ‘How about here? We are in Yeongju now!’ to experience Yeongju through travel and activities, and △ ‘Eussae-eussae Youth,’ a one-month living experience with settlement in mind.

‘How about here? We are in Yeongju now!’ is a program where 60 participants experience life in Yeongju through travel and activities on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays over three weeks, and explore opportunities for start-ups, new jobs, and employment through networking with residents.

‘Eussae-eussae Youth’ targets mainly the cautious middle-aged group in their 40s and 50s seriously considering returning to farming or rural life in the four provinces and three villages area. It provides practical information and experiences necessary for settlement, focusing on culture, arts, tourism, and agriculture, selecting a total of 20 participants.

The program applies the concept of a ‘working holiday’ combining work and travel, and shares vivid experiences through meetings with residents who have already settled in Yeongju.

By introducing essential business concepts for settlement and supporting expert consulting, Yeongju City plans to offer a practical and differentiated one-month living experience unique to Yeongju.

Eligible participants are adults aged 19 or older from other cities interested in Yeongju City, returning to farming or rural life, or wishing to form related (living) population ties. Accommodation and experience fees will be supported for participants.

Detailed program information, recruitment schedules, and participation methods are posted in notices on Yeongju City Hall’s website, official SNS, and blog.

Mayor Park Nam-seo of Yeongju City said, “We hope program participants will experience a differentiated lifestyle while staying in our region and form lasting relationships through networking with local residents.”