Geochang-gun Signs Relay No. 3 Agreement for Public-Private Joint Response to Increase Population

Public-Private Agreement Signed, Commitment to Increasing Population Strengthened

Joint Response to Prepare for the Risk of Population Decline Below 60,000

Geochang County and the County Saemaeul Association Sign Joint Agreement to Increase Population.

[Asia Economy Yeongnam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Choi Soon-kyung] Geochang-gun, Gyeongnam Province, signed a "Public-Private Joint Response Practice Agreement to Increase Population for Realizing a Population Growth City" with the Geochang-gun Saemaeul Association at the Saemaeul Hall on the 26th.

The signing ceremony was attended by County Governor Gu In-mo, Geochang-gun Saemaeul Association President Choi Doo-han, Saemaeul leaders from eup and myeon districts of the Geochang-gun Council, the Geochang-gun Saemaeul Women's Association, and about 40 members of the Saemaeul Library Geochang-gun branch. They shared national and county population policy trends and signed the agreement to reaffirm their commitment to increasing the population.

Compared to the top three counties in Gyeongnam Province by population (Haman, Geochang, Changnyeong), the county had the smallest population decline since 2018 (1,932 people, 3.0%), but the population has been steadily decreasing slightly.

Amid this, to overcome the risk of falling below 60,000 population, starting from August 31, the county is promoting a relay of public-private joint response agreements to increase population with local institutions and organizations, including signing an agreement with the Geochang-gun Village Chief Autonomous Council.

Choi Doo-han, President of the County Saemaeul Association, said, "Changes in population structure are a serious issue affecting all aspects of society such as economic growth, employment, welfare, education, and finance," and added, "Local organizations will actively promote population increase and do their best to establish a stable settlement flow for newcomers so that population inflow continues steadily."

County Governor Gu In-mo said, "With the prolonged ultra-low birthrate and the rapid decrease in the working-age population, changes in population structure are progressing faster than expected, and the golden time to respond to population issues is rapidly shrinking," and emphasized, "We hope for active cooperation from local institutions and organizations in preparing response measures with a shared sense of urgency regarding population decline."

Geochang-gun was the third most populous county in the province in 2018 but surpassed Changnyeong-gun after 2020 to become the second most populous county in the province. Going forward, the county plans to pursue population policies aiming for first place.