Gangjin-gun Repairs Vacant Houses for 10,000 KRW Monthly Rent... Nationwide Benchmarking Follows

Through Vacant House Remodeling Project, 42 Urban Households Rented at Discounted Prices

Gangjin-gun, Jeollanam-do (Governor Kang Jinwon) announced on the 9th that it will remodel vacant houses and rent them out for 10,000 KRW per month starting at the end of the year to attract urban residents.

The vacant house remodeling project involves owners leasing their vacant houses to the county free of charge. If leased long-term for 5 years, 50 million KRW is provided as project funding, and for 7 years, 70 million KRW is provided to remodel the vacant houses and offer them to urban residents wishing to relocate to Gangjin.

For short-term leases, a 6-year contract is applied, with the county using the house for 10 months annually and the owner using it for 2 months. Both long-term and short-term residents who want to live in Gangjin are offered affordable housing. Short-term leases will be available on a monthly basis.

As of November, the county selected 42 vacant houses for rent. Among them, 4 houses have been completed, 12 are under construction, and 17 are in the detailed design phase.

(On the right) Gang Jin-won, the county governor, visited and inspected the vacant house remodeling support project site last September. [Photo by Gangjin County]

Of the total 42 houses, 25 are allocated to general returnees to farming and rural areas: 12 houses in the first phase and 13 in the second phase. For agricultural and fishing village study programs, 17 houses are designated, with the completed houses being offered first to participants of these programs.

Applicants for the vacant houses must have lived outside Gangjin-gun for more than 5 years and must have moved or plan to move to Gangjin within 2 years from the announcement date to be eligible to apply.

The county plans to prioritize selection based on factors such as age, number of household members planning to move, and economic activity.

Additionally, a “House Viewing Day” will be organized so applicants can personally visit the houses and surrounding village environment to choose their preferred home. Recruitment announcements will be posted on the county website after remodeling completion, expected around the end of December.

Gangjin-gun’s vacant house remodeling policy has attracted visits from metropolitan and local governments and councils nationwide, including Dong-gu in Ulsan, Buk-gu in Gwangju, Gumi and Yeongyang in Gyeongbuk, Yangpyeong in Gyeonggi, and Gokseong in Jeollanam-do. Last month, Yoon Ilsun, a council member from Hongseong-gun, Chungnam, mentioned Gangjin-gun’s vacant house remodeling policy as an exemplary case of vacant house utilization during a 5-minute speech in the council, drawing nationwide attention.

Moreover, intensive coverage by local and national broadcasters and media has raised Gangjin’s recognition across the country.

A county official stated, “We receive more than 10 inquiries per day on average about the 10,000 KRW monthly remodeled vacant house rentals,” adding, “Beyond simple inquiries, about 150 people have expressed strong intentions to move in.”

The county offers up to 30 million KRW in support for remodeling vacant houses for self-residence and also up to 30 million KRW for new house construction, providing exceptional housing support benefits.

Especially for Puso operators, an additional 20 million KRW will be provided starting next year. When combined with the vacant house remodeling support and new house construction support projects, up to 50 million KRW can be received. Furthermore, 20 million KRW each for farming settlement funds and aged kimchi industry support, as well as support for vinyl greenhouses, can be received concurrently, allowing for up to 70 million KRW in total support. This has attracted attention from urban residents wishing to return to farming and rural living.

Additionally, Gangjin-gun provides a monthly childcare allowance of 600,000 KRW regardless of parents’ income or number of children, the longest and largest scale nationwide. For agricultural and fishing village study programs, 300,000 KRW per person is supported.

Governor Kang Jinwon stated, “In addition to exceptional housing support, our county provides comprehensive support in areas such as jobs and childcare to help urban residents settle in Gangjin without reservation,” adding, “We hope many people dreaming of a new life will take interest and come.”

Gangjin-gun operates a one-stop service for returnees to farming and rural areas. Applicants can receive customized consultation services about various benefits available upon moving to Gangjin through the county website and the Population Policy Division.

Gangjin = Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Kim Yongsu just8440@asiae.co.kr